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HOW TO BECOME A CMISTIAN; 

OR, 

THE WAY MADE PLAIN. 

BY ^ 

REV. V^/ILLIAM H. RUSSELL, 

Of the Newark Coxferexce. 



WITH INTRODUCTION 
By rev. henry A. BUTTZ, D.D., 

Presidext Drew Theological Seminary, Madtsox, N. J. 

* -' *''• Search the Scriptures.'^'' 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. ^.— T^rrnc ^>7^^--- 

^JUL 27 1886 /)V 

NEW YORK: V^^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ 'A^ 

PHILLIPS & HUNT, \,I[0^ WASH' tV3^ ^ 
805 Broadway. 



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THIS BOOK IS PREPARED ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE 
DESIRING TO BECOME CHRISTIANS; ALSO FOR 
THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO LEARN FROM 
SCRIPTURE THE ESSENTIALS OP CHRIS- 
TIANITY IN LANGUAGE ADAPTED 
TO THE COMMON PEOPLE. 



Copyrigbt, 1886, by Rev. William H. Russell, New Jersey. 



PREFACE. 



THE object of this work is for use more 
than ornament, for practice rather than 
tlieory. It was not intended to captivate by its 
diction, grammar, or rhetoric ; but to state, in 
the plainest possible manner, the simple facts 
that relate to our present and eternal welfare ; 
also, if possible, to lead some wlio are without 
liope and without God to a knowledge of the 
truth as it is in Jesus, and as it may be found in 
the Scriptures. 

After an experience of twenty-five years' la- 
bor in preaching and close observation, there 
appears to be an opportunity for this unpreten- 
tious book to do some missionary work among 
those who are not Christians, and desire to 
know how to become such ; and also among 
those who are Christians, but who have not 



4 Preface, 

studied closely the word of God concerning con- 
viction of sin and conversion, duties and re- 
sponsibilities, privileges and attainments. 

Scripture passages and hymns often portray 
how we may become the children of God, and 
also point out the way by which the seekers after 
pardon and salvation may know when they have 
obtained that which they seek, and how it may 
he retained by them. Brief selections from the 
Bible and from the hymns of the Church are 
therefore here presented. 

To these are added a few scriptural evi- 
dences, doctrines, and suggestions, which may 
shed some light and be the means of aiding the 
seeking ones in ^' looking unto Jesus, the author 
and finisher of our faith." 

W. II. EUSSELL. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THIS little book is thrown out upon the world 
by its author with the sole desire of doing 
good. In the subject and in its treatment the 
singleness of purpose of the writer must be ap- 
parent to the reader. The book, therefore, must 
be read and considered from the stand-point of 
evangelical Christianity. Its aim has molded its 
style, and, in part, at least, has determined its 
size. It is small, in order that it may be placed 
wathin the reach of all, and may be read in a 
short time. Its method, in presenting the 
truth, is such as will be especially fitting for 
those who are studying the fundamental truths 
of Christianity with a view to practical improve- 
ment in their religious thinking and living. 
There is a great deal of reading, at the present 
time, of works about Christianity as one 
of the religions of the world, but not so 
much about its saving truths as they 



6 Introditctio7i. 

are revealed in the Bible. And yet it is 
always true that the practical every-day truths 
of any department of thought are those upon 
which the world advances to its high destiny. 
All the discussions of philosophy are valuable 
so far as they minister to a more thorough 
knowledge and a broader application of the 
great principles of human progress. A true 
philosophy bears its richest fruit in the life of 
humanity. 

It is the purpose of this little work to place 
clearly before the mind of the reader the plan 
of salvation from the stand-point of the Bible. 
" How shall man be just with God ? " " What 
must I do to be saved?" are the great questions 
of all the ages. The former question is uttered 
in the oldest book of the Bible, the other is the 
question of the Philippian jailer. Where shall 
we find the true answer ? It cannot be found 
out from our self-consciousness. The way is 
not discoverable by looking within ourselves. 
Self-studj^ is most important, but even this self- 
study needs guidance in order to reach exact 
conclusions. Science tells us nothing as to the 
w^ay of salvation. It is beyond its province. On 



Introduction, 7 

the subject of the rescue of man from the guilt 
and dominance of sin, it is as silent as the grave. 
It knows nothing of guilt, and how can it pro- 
claim deliverance. The Bible is the only book 
that even proposes an answer to these great ques- 
tions. " It is the only voice that even sounds as 
if it came from the other side of the river." It 
answers the questions which this book propounds. 
" What am I ? Where am I bound ? To whom 
am I responsible?" Such questions have been 
on the hearts and minds of men from the begin- 
ning. Every body^ either in silent thought or in 
formulated expression, has made the inquiry, 
and the book of divine revelation is the perpet- 
ual answer. The answers of the Bible are scat- 
tered throughout the volume, partly in the Old 
Testament, completely in the New, here a little 
and there a little. As the principles of science 
are gathered from the study of the natural world, 
from the comparison of its facts, lying here and 
there, so the principles of religion and its laws 
and duties are gathered from the widely scat- 
tered facts and statements of the Bible. To 
gather these facts in a clear form, to state the 
law^s of God in simple phrases, so that the way- 



8 Ini/roditction. 

faring man, tliough a fool, need not err therein, 
is one of the chief functions of this book, and is 
the chief purpose in the mind of the author. 
Others, and they are many, have presented these 
things in elaborate forms for the study-table of the 
scholar; this work is intended for those who 
need the plainest statements of these plain but 
essential and vital truths. 

Theological formulation has been carefully 
avoided, and the desire of the author at exery 
step has been to set forth the plan of salvation 
in the simplest language, and especially to em- 
ploy the language of inspiration. 

After the presentation of the answers to the 
questions already indicated, the book closes with 
the discussion of the evidences of our acceptance 
of Christianity. In this, also, it is not a studied 
effort to produce a critical or rhetorical book ; 
but to present, in the plainest language, the 
biblical ideas. 

Here, too, is a field of vast importance. Why 
we believe is a question almost as important as 
what we believe. This department is commonly 
remanded to the scholar and investigator, but it 
is equally the heritage of all Christians. The 



Introduction. - 9 

chief arguments for our faith are such as present 
themselves to the average mind of man. If it 
were not so, the certainties of God's truth would 
be shut out from the great mass of the humanity 
whom Christ came to save. The experiences of 
all Christians are a part, and the most important 
part, of the grounds of their faith, but the other 
forms of conviction are not inaccessible to them. 
It is a matter of rejoicing that so many works 
are being published, which bring these impor- 
tant questions within the reach of all the people. 
Their publication is developing a Christian man- 
hood and womanhood of the very loftiest order. 
With such efforts we cannot but believe that tlie 
future of our Christian thinking and living will 
be far in advance of what they now are and 
of what they liave ever been. This is another 
of the aims of this book. It purposes to answer 
the question, Why we believe? 

The design of the author, therefore, is mani- 
fest. It is not to produce a critical work for 
those who are engaged in learned investigations, 
but a practical hand-book for earnest men and 
women who love the word of God, and desire 
to know what it teaches concerning the hopes 



10 Introduction. 

and aspirations of mankind. There are many 
earnestlj inquiring the way of salvation — they 
want to know what is believed by the Church of 
Christ, and why it is believed — they would like 
to find it clearly stated — they would, especially, 
like to know exactly what the Bible teaches. 
In this little work the author purposes to do 
what so many inquirers seek. He takes the 
reader familiarly by the hand, he leads him to 
the place of meditation, he hears what he has 
to say, and what he wants to know, and there he 
states the truth as he sees it and believes it. It 
is in the form of serial statement, as if in con- 
verse with the reader, rather than in the form of 
an essay, that the writer desires to present his 
work to the public. 

But the chief value of the book lies in the 
fact that it is scriptural. It is intended to pre- 
sent the Bible view on these profound questions. 
There may be a difference of opinion as to the 
expositions of the author, but the texts are 
there, and the reader can judge for himself. The 
word of God is ever fresh, and the exhibitions of 
its teachings in new and varied relations will 
always command the attention of thoughtful men 



Introduction, 11 

and women. It is this attempt to bring things 
new and old out of the divine word, that shows 
the utility of the Church. For ages men have 
been studying it, and they have done so with 
reference to the same great problems, and they 
will continue to study it, for it is the only solid 
source of information. It is as vital now as it 
was when Chrysostom expounded it with such 
wonderful eloquence; when Angustine formu- 
lated it into a great system of doctrinal truths ; 
wdien Luther opened it, after ages of suppression, 
to the minds of men ; when Wesley showed its 
practical povv^er in the rescue of mankind from 
the guilt and dominance of sin. 

It is in the belief that this unpretentious book 
will contribute to the instruction of the people 
on tlie great problems of Christianity, and that 
those who read it will enjoy more fully the great 
salvation provided by Christ, the only Saviour 
of men, and that it will promote the progress of 
Christ's kingdom in this land, that I cordially 
commend it to 'all w^lio are inquiring concerning 
the important subjects of which it treats. 

Henry A. Blttz. 

Madison, N. J., June 1, 1886. 



CONTENTS, 



PAGE 

Fkontispiece — Portrait of Author. 

Preface 3 

Introduction 5 



CHAPTER I. 

Important Questions 15 

CHAPTER II. 

The Way to Christ 25 

The Decision 25 

The Step and Act 26 

The Mystery and Duty 80 

The Teacher 31 

How to Come 32 

The Work Done 34 

Privilege, and Who are Christians 36 

CHAPTER III. 

Thk Doctrines 38 

Non-Essentials 39 

Essentials 40 

Conditions 42 

Attributes 43 

The Trinity 44 

Redemption 45 



Contents, 13 

PAGE 

Repentance, etc 47 

Witness of the Spirit 49 

Conversion 50 

Holiness, Sanctification, Consccralion 51 

Errors in Sanctiiication 51 

Perseverance and Apostasy 52 



CHAPTER lY. 

Death 54 

Scriptural Cliain 54 

Resurrection, Judgment, etc 64 

Rewards and Puuisliment 66 



CHAPTER Y. 

Recapitulation TO 

Free Moral Agency 71 

Decision and Condition. 73 

Faith Hlustrated 75 

How Prayer is Answered 76 

Illustration 77 

The Seal, The Result 78 

The Hope or Prospect 79 

CHAPTER YI. 

Experiences 80 

The Effects, Work, and Toil 81 

Error in Sincerity and Bf lief 83 

Religions Fanaticism and Proofs 85 

Knowledge Must be Sought. .... • 86 

A Guide Must Know the Way 88 

The Battle— Preparation 90 

The Armor 92 



14 Contents. 

CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 

The Commandments 95 

The Lord's Prayer Paraphrased 98 

CHAPTER YIIL 

Reflections 105 

Worldly Amusements 107 

Qu'^stions and Answers 108 

Christian Joy 110 

Salvation 115 

Perfection 118 

CHAPTER IX. 
*' In Essentials, Unity " 121 

CHAPTER X. 
Saving Belief , 132 



HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN; 



OR, 



THE WAY MADE PLAIN. 



CHAPTEE I. 
Important Questions. 

WHAT am I ? and Where bound ? are very 
important questions, and have been asked 
from the beginning. The answers have not al- 
ways been satisfactory for several reasons. Per- 
haps tw^o of the principal reasons are, first, 
because we w^ere not pleased with the truth, as 
it exposed our defects, and told us what we really 
were, and to w^hom we were responsible ; and, sec- 
ondly, because the course we were pursuing would 
eventually lead us to destruction. Any un- 
dertaking should be investigated. The success 
attained or benefit derived is conditioned upon 
the nature of the undertaking, and the laws by 



16 IIow to Become a Christian. 

which such successes or benefits obtainable are 
governed. If the questions of "What am I?" 
and '' Where bound ? " relate to raj spiritual 
well-being, discovering my real self, as to what 
I am, and how I may become a Christian, then 
I should investigate that subject in the light 
of revealed truth, so as to be assured of a correct 
answer, and acquaint myself with the history, 
and tlie laws or conditions by which that success 
may be attained and the benefits received. All 
that relates to man, about mankind, with regard 
to condition, duty, obligation, responsibility, 
tendency, or desire, in view of time and eternity, 
can only be ascertained from the word of 
God, the source of wisdom. He answers 
the questions, and informs us how to become 
Christians. If divine revelation be true, the 
journey is not ended when we cease to have 
a being in this Vv^orld. Where shall we go but 
unto this word for an answer to these ques- 
tions, or learn ''How to become a Christian?" 
These are questions of the utmost importance to 
us. Satisfactory answers should not be slighted, 



Important Questions. 17 

for we are asking these questions either con- 
sciously or unconsciously. Sometimes we really 
wish to know, and at other times are indifferent 
about it. But when brought face to face with 
some of the circumstances of this life we feel that 
we ought to know more than we do, and fortu- 
nately for us, we have in the inspired Scriptures a 
source of information upon which we may fully 
rely. In this life we are surrounded by many 
unknown influences, conditions, and circum- 
stances. There seems to be a necessity for some 
solution to the problem that we find ourselves 
confronted with. The journe}^ of life is one that 
requires time and patience, to be pursued in 
sickness or health, w^ith associates or alone, 
through storm or calm ; willing or unwilling, 
there are no exceptions, no substitutes ; it is un- 
conditional, absolute, final. This is not a trivial 
matter, but momentous and eternal — one that 
concerns every interest in life, in death, in 
eternity. 

With these facts before us, no wonder we are 
led to ask, " What am I ? " " From whence ? '' 



18 How to Become a Christian, 

^' Where bound ? " No wonder we are anxious 
to know what to do, where to go, of whom to ask ? 
As there is only one true source of information, 
wisdom would suggest that this source be sought, 
and this information be obtained. The Holy 
Bible contains all that may be known about our- 
selves as to our being ; all about God as our 
creator, as to the object and design of our crea- 
tion. From this word we are taught the 
measure of our days, our frailty, and all other 
things concerning this life and the life to come. 
In order tliat we may be profited by this infor- 
mation, three things are positively necessary : 
First, as there is no other source of knowledge 
regarding these important facts, implicit confi- 
dence in their authenticity. Second, as these 
facts are to be met by us, entire submission, to 
follow the directions given by this all-wise 
Author. Third, complete and hearty co-opera- 
tion with him, w^ho only is able to do all things 
for us. '' For without him we can do nothing," 
but with him, w^e can do all things through him 
that strengtheneth us. Whoever is willing to 



Iinjportant Questions, 19 

comply with the divine requirements, shall know 
of the doctrine, the way, and whatever else is 
necessary for the present and future life. 

First, then, the source of knowledge from 
which we may learn what we are and v/here 
bound, describes man as created from the dust of 
the earth. ^' Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt 
thou return." Man is made in the image and 
after the likeness of God ; that is, in holiness, for 
God is an uncreated spirit, and is without 
form. 

This word (see Genesis ii, iii, iv) describes 
where man was placed, and what he was 
given to do ; how^ and through wliat cause he 
disobeyed liis Creator ; how he w^as punished for 
liis disobedience by being driven from Eden ; 
and it gives the command, " In the day thou 
eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This 
refers to spiritual death, as Adam did not die 
the same day. God says, '' The soul that sinneth, 
it shall die," and "the wages of sin is death." 
For this, death passed on all men. 

This word further describes tlie condition of 



20 How to Become a Christian, 

mankind and tlie natural result of sin tlirough 
disobedience. Therefore we are, as Adam's pos- 
terity, or children, all sinners. '' As in Adam," 
or by one, ^'all have sinned," etc., so by one, 
Christ, all may be forgiven. It promises that 
the Seed of the woman should bruise the ser- 
pent's head, or, in other words, that a Saviour 
would appear to restore fallen man to the favor 
of God. The Old Testament contains the his- 
tory of the Israelites in their bondage, their flight, 
and their journey to the promised land (thus 
illustrating the condition of man in the bondage 
of Satan) ; their rescue by Moses, their leader, as 
a type of Christ, our leader ; and the land of milk 
and honey, or Canaan, as indicating heaven, the 
home of the saved. It contains the very 
important information we seek in answer 
to the questions, '' What am I ? " etc. It 
contains the fact that there is a God ; that 
he is our creator ; that man sinned ; that a 
Saviour was promised. It depicts our human 
nature in its best and in its worst conditions. 
It shows what is in man, and reveals his very 



Imjyortant Questions, 21 

tlioiiglits. It illustrates liis weakness and liis 
tendencies to error. It contains the laws by 
wliich he may be governed. It tells whom and 
how to worship, love, and obey ; the blessings 
and promises as the reward of obedience, and 
the penalties and judgments of disobedience. It 
is the great chart that points out the way to 
eternal life, and directs the pilgrim through the 
journey. It warns of danger, encourages to 
duty, and shows that it is wisdom to follow its 
teachings. Its prophecies predict the Messiah 
or Saviour; tells w^ien and where he is to be 
born; and how he is to suifer and die. Their 
fulfillment is a fact, and the salvation of sinners 
is assured, through Jesus Christ the promised 
Saviour. He is to free us from the law 
violated by Adam ; restore us to the favor of 
God in making an atonement by dying on the 
cross, to complete the scheme of redemption ; 
and in being raised from the dead for our justifi- 
cation. He lives to intercede for those who feel 
their need of being saved, kept, and restored ; 
who, coming, accept and believe that he is the 



22 How to Become a Christiait. 

only lM3gotteii Son of tlie Father, tlie only 
Saviour from sin and from eternal death. 

The New Testament, which is a part of the 
Bible, proclaims, that '' There is none other name 
under heaven given among men, whereby we 
must be saved," but the name of Jesus. The 
conditions of salvation are found in the text, 
'^ God so loved the world, that he gave his 
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 
in him should not perish, but have everlast- 
ing life." This plan of redemption, these con- 
ditions of salvation, are fixed and unalterable. 
With God there ''is no variableness, neither 
shadow of turning;" he is "the same yes- 
terday, to-day, and forever." This is the 
way, the only way. This is the truth, the whole 
trath. Through this way, and guided by this 
truth, man will ever find eternal life and heaven. 
Christ says, " I am the way, the truth, and the 
life." This being the object and subject of in- 
quiry, with so much that concerns us, and in 
which we are so personally interested for time 
and eternity ; it should engage all our powers to 



Iraportant Questions. ' 23 

prosecute this journey, complete tliis work, se- 
cure this prize, and save this soul, which is im- 
mortaL 

* * A charge to keep I have, 

A God to glorify ; 
A never-dying soul to save, 
And fit it for the sky." 

" What am I ? " The word of God informs 
me that I am a sinner, first, tlirough Adam ; hence 
all have sinned. Second, that by my own acts 
and disobedience I have violated the laws of God 
and have sinned against him. As " God cannot 
look upon sin with any degree of allowance," and 
is angry or displeased with the wicked, we, be- 
ing wicked and sinful, have displeased God. 
Therefore, conscious of the fact, we must stand 
self-convicted before him, whose laws we have 
violated ; we are guilty before him. As such^ 
we cannot expect his love or his favor. '' If our 
own heart condemn us, God is greater than our 
heart,'' and he also condemns us. Now as 
death is the wages of sin, then the penalty or 
the wages must be paid ; to escape this, some- 



2J: IIoiD to Becom.c a Christian, 

thing must be done. What ? Here is the posi- 
tion that I occupy : Self -convicted of sin by my 
own act and will, self-condemned and under the 
sentence of death, without liope and without the 
favor of God. ''What ami?" A sinner. "Where 
bound ? " To the judgment-bar of God. How 
shall I escape, to whom look for mercy, for help, 
for pardon, for justification, for redemption, for 
salvation ? God's word says, " Look unto me 
and be ye saved." What music in the sinner's 
ears. " Him tliat cometh unto me I wdll in no 
wise cast out." If we repent of our sins and 
confess our sins, he will forgive us. " Let the 
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts: and let him return unto the 
Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and 
unto our God, for he will abundantly pardon." 



T 



The Waij to Christ. 25 



CHAPTER 11. 
The Way to Christ, 

HIS jDresents onr case as sinners; this 
represents Jesus Christ as onr Saviour ; 
this presents unmistakably what we must do, 
to be pardoned, forgiven, and saved from our 
sins ; tliere is no other way, but to repent, con- 
fess, and come. May the prayer of my heart 
be, " God be merciful to me a sinner.*' " Lord, 
save, or I perish." 

Just here depends the act, the step, and the 
decision for weal or woe, for time and eternity. 
By the act we accept or reject the word of God, 
which is to become the rule and guide to our 
faith and practice, which reveals to us " w^hat w^e 
are," "where bound," the journey before us, 
and how to pursue it — the two paths, one leading 
to life and good, the other to death and evil. 
The step taken determines the way, and the de- 
cision made seals our destiny. How very careful 



2G IIoio to Become a Christian, 

should we be just liere. The right act, the right 
step, the right decision — what important inter- 
ests to be considered ! — an immortal soul to be 
saved or lost, and all dependent upon my act — 
what a responsibility ! — and yet I am to deter- 
mine, I am to decide. This may well be called 
the critical point. When the thought cames, 
''What am I ! " and the whole earth keeps silence, 
the still small voice of the Spirit comes to my 
heart and whispers, " You are a poor sinner 
whom Jesus came to save." That surely means 
me, for I am convinced of this. My own heart 
and conscience declare this, and that infallible 
word assures me of this. What else can I do, 
sliould I do, but to decide for God, for life, and 
salvation? Then let the act, step, and decision 
be this : 

*' I'll go to Jesus, thongh my sins 
Like mouatains round me close ; 

I know Ms courts, I'll enter in, 
Whatever may oppose." 

" Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise 
cast out," is a promise full of cheer and hope. 



The Way to Christ. 27 

Having made the decision, and accepted the 
word of God as the only authentic source of in- 
formation, and having a willing submission to fol- 
low whithersoever he leadeth, the seeker after 
truth and life is placed in a position to obtain the 
desire of the heart and soul, if that desire be 

'* How can a sinner know 

His sins on earth forgiven ? 
How can my gracious Saviour show 

My name inscribed in heaven ? " 

This leads to the complete and hearty co-opera- 
tion with him who has espoused our cause, who 
came to save, to help, to teach, to support, to 
guide, to redeem, to justify, to sanctify ; and, 
finally, to bring all that love and obey him to 
that place he has gone to prepare. The word 
is conclusive : " Let not your heart be troubled : 
ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my 
Father's house are many mansions: if it w^ere 
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare 
a place for you .... that, w^here I am, there 
ye may be also." This answers in part the 



28 IIoio to Become a Christian. 

second qnestioii, " AVhere bound ? " or, in the 
language of the poet : 

** We are bound for the land of the pure and the holy, 
The home of the happy, the kingdom of love." 

During tliis journey many things will be seen 
and heard. There are many who profess to be 
guides to this place, and who show many signs and 
perform wonders, whose arguments cannot be 
met by us, whose statements are plausible, whose 
words may savor of the truths of the Bible, who 
may be clothed as angels of light, whose songs 
of praise may be sweet, and whose voice may 
be that of the charmer. God's word says, " Be- 
ware of " such, for '' inwardly they are ravening 
wolves," they are false teachers, who would '' sift 
you as wheat." " Come out from among them, 
and be ye separate, .... and touch not the un- 
clean thing ; and I will receive you ; and I will be 
a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and 
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." In search- 
ing this word, and in examining this chart, 
there will be found many things that may 



The Way to Christ 29 

not be understood by us — statements that may 
be far beyond our comprehension, miracles that 
cannot be explained, apparent contradictions, 
projDhecies which are full of strange figures and 
symbols. There must be implicit confidence in 
Plim who rules the world and governs the 
universe ; who knoweth all things, and will, in his 
own good time and pleasure, explain to us what 
now we cannot know, and which would not 
benefit us to know. But this should and does 
suffice, '' What thou knowest not now thou shalt 
know liereaf ter." Here 'Sve see through a glass, 
darkly ;" there we shall see " face to face." 
What we need to do is to ^' trust in the Lord." 
During the journey, no doubt, many different 
opinions will be expressed as to the meaning of 
certain verses or texts of Scripture. Learned 
commentators, ministers of the Gospel, repre- 
senting various denominations, will claim from 
their stand-point, their doctrines, belief, and 
forms of worsliip, and insist upon certain forms 
and modes as correct, perhaps, maj^ even say 
that they are obligatory and commanded. Be 



30 IIoio to Become a Christian. 

not carried away with "every wind or doc- 
trine," but try them, and prove tliem. 

There may also be differences of opinion ex- 
pressed by the members of the same denomina- 
tion. The Saviour says, "What is that to thee? 
Follow thou me." Jesus Christ is our leader, he 
is our teacher, and he is our Saviour. 

*' Other refuge have [we] none, 
Hangs [our] helpless soul on thee." 

" Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and 
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man." 
Wisdom still urges, " Follow me." " I will 
never leave thee, I will never forsake thee." 

My duty is no longer a question, but a fact, 
that fact revealed in this word. Not hearers 
but doers receive the reward. " The law of the 
Lord is perfect, converting the soul : the tes- 
timony of the Lord is sure, making wise the 
simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, re- 
joicing the heart : the commandment of the 
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear 
of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the 



The Way to Christ. 31 

judgments of the Lord are true and righteous 
altogetlier. More to be desired are they than 
gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also 
than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover by 
them is thy servant warned : and in keeping of 
them there is great reward." This psalm closes 
with the prayer or desire : '' Let the words of 
my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be 
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, 
and my redeemer." Whatever others may 
teach or preach, this thing I must do, hold fast 
my confidence firm unto the end. For tlie 
Lord, in whom is my trust, is able to keep that 
which has been committed to him, whicli is my- 
self, body, soul, and spirit, for time and for 
eternity. 

Tliis word teaches all that is necessary to do, 
and how it should be done ; all that is proper to 
know, and from whom we are to receive our in- 
structions. Christ " a Teacher come from God." 
By searching this v;ord we shall know. '' Search 
the Scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have 
eternal life : and they are they which testify of 



32 How to Become a Christian. 

me." Ilere, tlien, we have that which is able 
to make us wise unto salvation. This w^ord 
teaches us to trust in the Lord at all times ; to 
commit our way unto him ; to make our wants 
and wishes known unto him ; to call upon him 
in the time of trouble, and he has assured us 
that he will answer us. 

*' Just as I am, without one plea, 
But that thy blood was shed for me, 
And that thou bidd'st me come to thee, 
O Lamb of God, I come !" 

I come to be - 

^'Welcomed, pardoned, cleansed, relieved; 
Because thy promise I believe, 
O Lamb of God, I come!" 

Convicted sinners, conscious of the justicQ of 
condemnation, accepting the conditions of par- 
don, w^ill also feel that there are certain obliga- 
tions resting upon them. This leads to con- 
formity and co-operation with Him who has 
chosen us, and whom we have cliosen to be our 
Master, Guide, and Saviour. Conviction of sin 
precedes confession of sin. To whom shall 



The Way to Christ 33 

we confess, and liow ? As our sin has been 
against God, in violating liis law, then, to him 
we must come and make a humble confession. 
What shall we say ? There are many forms of 
confession, but the most comprehensive is that 
of the publican, " God be merciful to me a sin- 
ner ; " or that of David, '• Against thee, thee only, 
liave I sinned, and done this evil ; " or that of 
the prodigal, " I will arise and go to my father, 
and will say unto him. Father, I have sinned 
against heaven, and before thee, and am no 
more worthy to be called thy son." "What God 
teaches us is, that only true confession will be 
recognized by him. " With the heart man 
believeth unto righteousness; and with the 
mouth confession is made unto salvation." Just 
here is the knowledge of the gift of the Spirit 
of God. " Whosoever shall confess that Jesus 
is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and 
he in God." 1 John iv, 15. This confession of 
Jesus Christ is made because our salvation is 
dependent upon him. The word of God, which 

we have chosen as our guide, teaches that Jesus 
s 



34 How to Become a Christian. 

is the only Saviour. Therefore, not to believe 
this would prevent our being saved. This con- 
stitutes saving belief, when we allow him to 
save us. ISTot only that he can, or will, but that 
he does, now, this moment, from all our sins re- 
lease. '^ Hereby we know that he abideth in 
us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 

Having been brought by the Holy Ghost to 
a conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment, 
then to a humble and sincere confession of my 
sin to God, truly believing in the abiHty and 
power of Jesus to save from the guilt of sin, 
conscious of the " witness of the Spirit " that 
tells me I am saved by his grace, I am brought 
into the relation of a child of God. Having 
been born of the Spirit, which is the new birth, 
or regeneration, having accepted* God as my 
Father, convinced of my sin by the Holy Ghost, 
and having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ 
as my Saviour, I am entitled to say, " Abba 
Father." No longer an alien, no longer without 
hope, no longer in the gall of bitterness ; but re- 
joicing in hope of the glory of God, free from 



The Way to Christ, 35 

the law, justified by faith, and redeemed by the 
precious blood of Jesus to an inheritance in 
heaven, with an experience that satisfies as 
nothing else can do, 

*^I stand all bewildered witli wonder, 

And gaze on the ocean of love, 
And over its waves to my spirit, 

Comes peace, like a heavenly dove ; 
The cross now covers my sins. 

The past is under the blood, 
I'm trusting in Jesus for all, 

My will is the will of my God." 

Being benefited by the atonement, justified 
by his grace through saving faith, and having 
lieartily repented, regeneration, adoption, the 
witness of the Spirit, and conversion take 
place, to be followed by grow^th in grace, 
hungering and thirsting after righteousness, en- 
tire consecration, and holiness : all of which 
constitutes a sinner saved by grace, a child of 
God, a Christian, and also enables us to solve the 
problem of our creation — Why ? and For what ? 
1. Why ? That we should glorify God in our 
bodies and spirits, wliich are his by creation, by 



36 How to Become a Christian, 

purchase, and by adoption. 2. For what ? That 
we might become co-workers with him in the 
great work of human redemption, that the king- 
doms of this world may become the kingdoms 
of our Lord and of his Christ. 

To accomplish this, God has made it the 
privilege of saved sinners to aid in this work, 
by preaching his Gospel, by precept and by 
example, by life and by faithfulness, demon- 
strated by consecration of heart and consistency 
of Christian life. 

The questions might be asked here, What 
constitutes a Christian ? and, What is Christian- 
ity ? The name, we are informed, was first 
given to those who were the followers of Christ 
at Antioch, as a nickname, by those who held 
Christ in derision. But now the name is to be 
desired, and those w^ho have a right to be called 
Christians are such as adorn the doctrines of 
Christ. Those who have really and truly been 
convicted, and repented of their sins, that are 
following the commands of God, that are leading 
new lives, that have passed from death unto life, 



The Way to Christ 37 

that have the witness of the Spirit, that have 
been born again or regenerated, that love God 
with all their heart and tlieir neighbor as them- 
selves, that are Christ-like in sympathy, mercy, 
kindness, truth, w^ith many other fruits of the 
spirit, are Christians. Christianity is more a 
life than a profession. It is a system founded 
upon the pure principles taught by Jesus 
Cln'ist, whose doctrines and precepts are tlie foun- 
dation stones on which it is erected. It oper- 
ates upon the individual that embraces it, and 
reflects the light and life and character of the 
divine Author whom it represents. The grace 
of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit 
affecting the heart, and thereby making us new 
creatures in Christ, the grace which transforms 
as well as reforms, will ever enable us to worthily 
be the representatives of Christ or Christianity. 
It may be possible to deceive ourselves or others, 
but we cannot deceive God. " Be not deceived ; 
God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man 
sow^eth, that shall he also reap." 



38 How to Become a Christian. 



CHAPTEE III. 

T he Doctrines. 

THE essential doctrines of Cliristianity are 
not so extensive or numerous but that 
we may learn them and understand them ; not 
so mysterious but that we may know them ; not 
so high but that we may reach them; not so com- 
plicated but that we may solve them, at least all 
that is necessary to make us wise unto salvation. 
As this is the aim and the object of our search, 
to obtain it is to have life, hope, and peace. 
What these essential doctrines are, and how we 
may know them, is of very great importance to 
us. As before stated, there may be many 
things that we shall never know or understand 
in this world. Yet that will not prevent us 
from becoming Christians or enjoying the love 
of God in our hearts, or of being saved from 
our sins. It is not the amount of learning, or 
the number of countries visited, or vast estates, or 



The Doctrines, 39 

acciinmlation of wealth that will secure the favor 
of God, or that will lead us to heaven. But, 
"he that believeth shall be saved." We are 
not compelled to know the origin or nature of 
every thing mentioned in the Scripture to en- 
title us to become the children of God. Yet it 
would be well for us to learn all that we can 
concerning the Lord and his wonderful works 
for the children of men regarding their salva- 
tion. "We may not understand all about the 
existence of God, the Trinity, Satan, death, res- 
urrection, and many other things ; but that will 
not prevent us from believing that what the 
Scriptures say about them are true. There are 
but very few, if any, that claim to understand 
these, except those who are wise above that 
w^hich is written ; and this latter class are those 
who usually have the least religion, make the 
loudest professions, and are the means of most 
of the troubles and difficulties in the commu- 
nity, and become stumbling-blocks in the way 
of others ; creating strifes, jealousies, and bicker- 
ings, and discussing questions that do not tend 



40 How to Become a Christian. 

to edification or to build up the Church of 
God among men. 

These might properly be called soul-destroy- 
ers, or the real cause for much of skepti- 
cism, infidelity, and wickedness. They argue 
upon the non-essentials of Christianity, as, for 
instance, why the Lord did not provide some 
other means to obtain salvation ; why miracles 
are not now wTOught as in former times ; as to 
how one should pray, kneeling or standing; 
and a thousand or more questions which might 
arise over which hours of discussion could be 
wasted without the least benefit to either. Very 
often there are arguments between diflferent 
church members with regard to forms, belief, 
and worship ; and yet, upon the real or essential 
points of faith, there is no difference ; all are 
trying to serve the same God ; striving for tlie 
same heaven, and hoping to meet again at last. 

To know what the essential doctrines are, and 
how we are to understand them, becomes an im- 
portant part of our duty. These are the doc- 
trines which will enable us to become Christians, 



TliG Doctrines, 41 

and to follow the plain teaching of this Gospel 
way to reach heaven, the home of the soul. First, 
I am to believe in a divine revelation, and that 
medium, the Bible, through which we are in- 
formed of the existence of God. To begin right 
has much to do with success. To be right with 
misfortune is better than to be wrong and for- 
tunate. Now, with regard to spiritual and eternal 
things, this word, or divine revelation, is not only 
the law, but the Gospel, and is the '' power of 
God unto salvation." The knowledge of sin and 
death, the promise of forgiveness and life, the 
liope of a resurrection and heaven, are doctrines 
which have their origin in God's word ; and 
whatever hopes we may entertain concerning 
any of the promises of reward, protection, com- 
fort, or spiritual good, must be obtained in ac- 
cordance with their conditions. 

Therefore, if we wish to be saved and to be- 
come Christians, no other way is known than 
that described in this word, which is through 
conviction, repentance, and faith. No one has 
a right to expect to become a Christian un- 



42 IIoio to Become a Christian, 

less these conditions are met We may see 
by this that it is absohitely necessary to be- 
lieve fully, accept wholly, whether we compre- 
hend them all, or know how or why or when 
these things occurred, spoken of in this word. 
What we want is the promises fulfilled, the 
blessings bestowed, and the heaven gained. 
To obtain these, we must obey, love, and please 
God the giver. " Without faith it is impossible 
to please God." Unless we have entire and im- 
plicit confidence in God and in his word, we 
cannot please him or receive any thing from 
him. This is, therefore, the fundamental, the 
correct, and the only way to obtain the desire of 
our heart. This is well pleasing to God, and 
the promises are ''yea and amen" to them that 
believe. 

This opens the way to all of God's promises 
to man. If we cannot explain what we have 
accepted and believed, that fact will not de- 
prive us of being benefited by its possession. 
Surely we could not be benefited without it. 
We may not be able to explain the medicine 



TKg Doctrines, 43 

which we accepted from the doctor's hand, and 
wliich relieved the pain or effected the cure ; 
nevertheless, we were benefited, relieved, and 
re&tored. So with God's word. So with the 
doctrines of Christianity. If the Lord prescribed 
the remedy for sin, completed the plan for salva- 
tion from its penalties, and provided a heaven 
for those who accept and believe him, '' how 
shall we escape, if we neglect so great salva- 
tion ? " How can we be benefited if we refuse 
the offers set before us in the Gospel? The fact 
is, we cannot escape, we cannot be benefited, we 
cannot be saved. Let others do as they ma3\ " as 
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 
This is the right and the only conclusion. 
To follow it is life and health and peace. Ac- 
cepting this divine revelation, and the existence 
of God, will lead us to believe that he has attri- 
butes of character by which he may be known 
or understood. These may be divided into two 
classes, namely, natural and moral. The nat- 
ural are, 1. Unity ; 2. Eternity ; 3. Omnipres- 
ence ; 4. Omniscience ; 5. Omnipotence ; 6. Im- 



44 Iloto to Become a Christian, 

mutability ; 7. Invisibility ; 8. iDcomprcliensi- 
bility. The moral attributes are, 1. Wisdom ; 
2. Goodness ; 3. Holiness ; 4. Justice ; 5. Mercy ; 
6. Truth. As to his Unity, we are taught that 
there is one God, the Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, and these three are one, or Triune ; as to 
his Eternity, he has past, present, and future ex- 
istence : he is from everlasting to everlasting ; 
as to his Omnipresence, he exists every-where ; as 
to his Omniscience, he has the knowledge of all 
things ; as to his Omnipotence, he has all power ; 
as to his Immutability, he is without change ; as 
to his Invisibility, he cannot be seen with mor- 
tal eyes ; as to his Incomprehensibility, he can- 
not be grasped by the human mind, as he is 
infinite and immortal. Finite or mortal beings 
cannot understand him or his ways, for his 
thoughts and ways are higher than ours. The 
moral attributes are such that their titles ex- 
plain their meaning ; but we are to believe 
that God possesses them all. The next in 
order would be a belief in the Trinity. The 
Father's qualities have been shown. Next is 



The Doctrines. 45 

that of Jesus Christ, or the Son. How he is 
the Son is shown in the Scriptures. We are to 
believe in him as they teach, to wit : that he was 
the very God manifest in the flesh, that he 
is the Saviour of men, and that he died for 
us ; also that the Holy Ghost, the third person 
in this Trinity, proceeds from tlie Father and 
Son, and has the same attributes ; and, as they 
are one, he must have them. Just how this is 
so is not necessary for ns to know. What 
we are commanded to do is to believe it as 
stated. 

With regard to angels, to the devil and de- 
mons, these are fully explained in Scripture. 
As to the origin of man, this has been shown. 
What we most need, as men and women, is to 
be pure in life and saved in heaven. We need 
to be redeemed. This is a doctrine which 
means the recovery of the human family from 
sin and death by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, 
made upon the cross, giving his own life for us, 
thereby redeeming ns ; and which includes the 
atonement. " By Redemption is meant the re- 



46 lloio to Become a Christian, 

covery of mankind from sin and death by the 
obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, on 
this account, is called the Redeemer. By the 
Atonement is meant the satisfaction offered to 
divine Justice by Jesus Christ, who underwent 
by his suffering and death the penalty due to 
our sin." Justification may be understood to 
mean pardon, because of tliose acts of Jesus 
Christ which satisfied the law of God, and which 
relieved us from the penalty of sin, upon the 
express condition that we accept Christ by faith ; 
" thus, being justified by faith, w^e have peace 
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This 
clearly shows that while all these things have 
been done for us, making justification possible, 
yet it will not be complete, nor will it benefit us 
in the least, until we have accepted it by faith. 
As to the causes, known as the originating, mer- 
itoi'ious, and the instrumental, these are not 
so important to know in detail, as to know by 
experience that we are enjoying the benefits and 
blessings of a saving faith which is the assent of 
the understanding to all the truths of God, 



Tlie Doctrines. 47 

especially those which relate to the conditions 
of salvation ; and the consent of the will and all 
our affections to this plan of salvation as the onl j 
way. This assent of the understanding and 
consent of the will and affections produce im- 
plicit trust and entire confidence in God the 
Father, God the Son as our Saviour, God the 
Holy Ghost as our Comforter and Sanctifier. 
This appears to be the flower in full bloom : 
our conviction as the ground-work, our repent- 
ance as the stalk, our belief as the bud, and our 
faith as the flower. Well might we pray : 

'^ Lord, give us such a faith as this." 

'^ A faith that shines more bright and clear 

When tempests rage without ; 
That when in danger knows no fear, 

In darkness feels no doubt." 

The doctrine of repentance, as taught in the 
Scripture, implies a sense and hatred of sin, and 
a love of holiness ; or, as it originally means, " a 
change of mind ; " as one has said, " an earnest 
wishing that something were undone that we 
have done." But true repentance is not merely 



48 How to Become a Christian. 

a sorrow for sin, because it exposes to punish- 
ment. Tliis is worldly repentance. Godly sor- 
row for sin consists in turning from sin to holi- 
ness, and is a repentance that needeth not to be 
repented of. A deep sorrow which is heart-felt, 
a renunciation and confession of sin, are evidences 
of true repentance. 

Eegeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit 
by which we experience a change of heart, and 
have stamped upon it again the moral image 
of God, as man was before the fall, when God 
created him in his likeness and image. It is 
also the new birth, which makes us new creat- 
ures in Christ, born of the Spirit. It may also 
be understood more clearly by the words of 
John the Baptist, as not to be the work of man, 
" I indeed baptize you with water unto repent- 
ance," which may produce a change of mind ; 
" but he that cometh after me, he shall baptize 
you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire," pro- 
ducing a change of heart. The Saviour's an- 
swer to Nicodemus, " Ye must be born again," 
appears to be the doctrine of regeneration 



The Doctrines. 49 

clearly defined and explained, and without this 
change of heart, or regeneration, there can be 
no salvation. 

Adoption is that act of our heavenly Father 
by which he receives us into his family after we 
have sincerely repented of our sins, and have ac- 
cepted, with full confidence, the conditions of 
salvation by faith. We are then called his chil. 
dren, and made heirs to the heavenly inheritance. 
Being thus adopted, it is our privilege to obtain 
the evidence of this new relation to God, and to 
know it, beyond a question, as the foundation of 
truth and hope. This God gives us at the time 
of our adoption, when he " whispers we are his." 
This is the "witness of the Spirit:" '^He 
that believeth on the Son of God hath the wit- 
ness in himself." 

The unmerited favors thus obtained are, the 
forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith ; 
the adoption of sons through justification and 
regeneration ; and the witness of the Spirit of our 
acceptance to God. This describes the changes 
through which a seeking sinner passes in thought, 



50 How to Become a Christian, 

in life, in heart, in desires, in dispositions, when 
turning from his sinful course of life to God, 
through faith in Jesus Christ, and is known, in 
a scriptural sense, as conversion. This being 
changed, renewed, and regenerated, constitutes 
a Christian, one who is seeking to become holy 
in life, thought, and heart. " For without holi- 
ness no man shall see the Lord." '^ Be ye holy," 
is a divine command, therefore the Christian de- 
siring to be holy will seek after it. He will 
strive for that participation of the divine nature 
which excludes from the heart all desire to sin, 
and to be filled with the Spirit and love of God. 
This can only be obtained by entire consecration 
of ourselves to God and his service. 

** Take my soul and body's powers; 

Take my memory, mind, and will; 
All my goods, and all my hours ; 

All I know, and all I feel ; 
All I think, or speak, or do ; 
Take my heart, and make it new." 

This would be dedicating one's self to God, 
giving and setting one's self apart for God and 



The Doctrines. 51 

Ills glory. This is the doctrine of holiness, 
sanctification, consecration, or whatever term may 
be used, so long as it produces snch effects in the 
life. This work of holiness and grace begins 
when the love of God is shed abroad in the 
heart at the time of regeneration ; and to the ex- 
tent only as we grow in grace, in the knowl- 
edge of God, and in duty, are the powers of 
soul and body dedicated and consecrated to 
God, are we sanctified or made holy. It is not 
"the second blessing" so much as it is the 
grace of God, in answer to our fervent prayers 
to make us pure and keep us steadfast, " always 
abounding in the work of the Lord." There is 
no time in the experience of a Christian when 
he does not need to watch and pray, need to 
grow, need help, need grace, need spiritual food, 
need to be more like Christ, need to '' press for- 
ward to the mark," and say, vv^ith Paul, " IsTot as 
though I had already attained, or were already 
perfect," but going on to perfection. This will 
keep us busy, and to do it will keep us faithful, 
growing Christians, who will win and obtain the 



52 IIow to Become a Christian. 

prize. There are many errors taught concerning 
this doctrine, sometimes by men and women 
who are Christians, but have themselves been 
led to believe what they profess and teach; 
sometimes that they are entirely perfect, free 
from the power of sin, not subject to its influ- 
ence or temptation ; that they have obtained all 
that can be had, and reached the highest point 
possible in Christian experience. From all such, 
whose daily walk and conversation are not con- 
sistent with this holiness of character, or as 
becometh the Gospel of Christ, beware ! Pro- 
fession without possession is vain, or, as the 
apostle James declares, " Faith without works 
is dead," being alone. 

As to the doctrine of perseverance and apos- 
tasy, it is the privilege of every Christain to be 
cleansed from all sin, and to keep himself un- 
spotted from the world, so as not to offend God 
in this life ; and this will be the case so long as 
he holds fast his confidence firm unto the end. 
Yet it is also true that if we do not strive for 
the mastery over evil, by constant help from on 



The Doctrines. 53 

high, we shall be taken captive by the devil at 
his will, and thereby will make " shipwreck of 
our faith," and lose our religion, our hope, and 
be lost. No wonder the poet sings and prays, 

*^ I need thee every hour, 

Stay thou near by ; 
Temptations lose their power 

When thou art nigh." 

We may be tempted, and will be ; we may be 
tried often ; but temptation is not sin ; it is in 
yielding that we commit sin, and it is in yield- 
ing that men fall. 



54 How to Become a Christian. 



W 



CHAPTER IV. 
Death. 

ITH regard to death, this is the result 
of sin, and refers to the body and 
soul, one physical and the other spiritual. 
But what is usually understood is the separa- 
tion of soul and body, the extinction of ani- 
mal life as the body ceases to exist. '' For 
dust thou art," etc. But the soul goes 
back to God that gave it : that lives forever. 
The Scriptures inform us that our bodies shall 
be raised in the last day, and then our souls 
shall be re-united to them. They declare that 
it was " sown [or buried] a natural body," but 
shall be " raised a spiritual body," etc. Accord- 
ing to the Scriptures, some time, more or less, 
must elapse between death and the last day, 
the general judgment. This would indicate an 
intermediate state, that state in which the soul 
exists between death and the resurrection. This 



Death, 55 

is not the Eomish doctrine of purgatory, as 
some have called the intermediate state. Pur- 
gatory, according to the Roman Catholic Church, 
is a place where the soul may be purged or 
cleansed from sin. The doctrine of probation 
after death has no foundation in Scripture, but 
is a dogma of the Eomish Church. 

The intermediate state of the righteous is 
sometimes called "paradise," ''Abraham's bo- 
som," and " heaven ; " but, according to the 
Scriptures, it cannot mean that, as will be shown, 
though it might mean heavenly states. If there 
is a state for the righteous, there must also be 
an intermediate state for the wicked. This 
must be shown, in order that we may have a 
clear view of this subject, which alone can satis- 
fy the mind ; for if this is troubled or unsettled, 
there are constantly misgivings, doubts, unrest, 
and, finally, unbelief. It is a question which 
every man and woman feels interested in, and 
one that ought to be answered, so far as Scripture 
answers it. Speculation, or human ideas should 
not be allowed, given, or accepted. Whatever 



56 How to Become a Christian. 

may be known must be obtained from the 
Scriptures concerning these "last things." We 
iind, with regard to death, intermediate state of 
the good and evil, the resurrection, judgment, 
coming of Christ, rewards and punishments, and 
all other things of this nature, that they may be 
traced by careful study and searching : a chain 
without a single link missing. This once formed 
in the mind lays the foundation for an intelligent 
religious belief, a satisfactory Christian experi- 
ence, with a reasonable hope, and enables finite 
creatures to love, honor, worship, and obey God, 
their Creator, who will say unto them, " Well 
done, thou good and faithful servant : enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord." 

We are taught in the Scriptures that " it is 
appointed unto all men once to die." This we 
find to be a fact in nature, and, therefore, do not 
need to explain further than this: When Jesus 
M^as crucified, just before he died, he said : " Fa- 
ther, into thy hands I commend my spirit : and 
having said thus, he gave up the ghost " (or died). 
Luke xxiii, 46. This not only shows that Christ 



Death, 57 

lived, as we now live, but that he also died, as we 
must die ; and that his spirit went back to 
God that gave it, as onr spirits will. Another 
instance is that of Lazarus and the rich man, as 
found in Luke xvi, 19-31. At the 22d and 23d 
verses, it reads, " And it came to pass, that the 
beggar died, and was carried by the angels into 
Abraham's bosom : the rich man also died, 
and was buried ; and in hell he lifted up his 
eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar 
off, and Lazarus in his bosom." We must not 
forget that Jesus Christ taught this to his disci- 
ples, and that he teaches it to us also. Again, 
remember the thief on the cross, and the con- 
versation of Jesus with him, concerning this 
very subject. Surely Jesus knew all about it, if 
any one did. Lie answers the question — a very 
im]3ortant one to that inquirer and to us, concern- 
ing the intermediate state and what it was called. 
Luke xxiii, 42, 43. " And he said unto Jesus, 
Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy 
kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Yerily 
I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with 



58 How to Become a Christian, 

mc in paradise." It will be remembered that 
tlie two states spoken of by the Saviour, " Abra- 
ham's bosom " and '' paradise," were understood 
by the Jews to mean the same, and also to mean 
that the souls of the good went there to await 
the resurrection ; further, that they were at rest, 
and in a state of happiness, opposite to that of 
torment. It will also be well to notice that Jesus 
did not mean heaven when he said paradise. 
This we gather from the conversation had with 
Mary immediately after his resurrection from the 
grave, in which he was placed : " Touch me not ; 
for I am not yet ascended to my Father : but go 
to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto 
my Father, and your Father ; and to my God, 
and your God." John xx, 17. After this he ap- 
peared unto them, and they handled or touched 
him. The reasonableness of this appears, re- 
garding an " intermediate state," when we take 
into consideration what he says about preparing 
a place for his folio wers,,and for all that love him 
and believe on him. In John xiv, 1, we read : 
^' Let not your heart be troubled. ... In my Fa- 



Death. 59 

tiler's house are many mansions : if it were not 
so, I would have told you. ... I go to prepare a 
place for you. ... I will come again, and receive 
you unto myself ; that where I am, there ye may 
be also." And now, in Luke xxiv, 50, after 
this promise, we find : " And he led them 
out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his 
hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, 
while he blessed them, he was parted from 
them, and carried up into heaven." Here it 
speaks of heaven, where we may expect, if 
faithful, to be with Christ, when he comes again 
to take us to the place that is being prepared, 
and that he went to prepare, for all the good. 

The intermediate state of the wicked is de- 
scribed by the Saviour. At the same time he re- 
fers to Lazarus being in Abraham's bosom, he 
tells us that the rich man died. '' And in hell he 
lifted up his eyes, being in torments," etc. Luke 
xvi, 22, 23. This, with what follows in the 
concluding verses, clearly teaches that if there is 
an intermediate state for the righteous, there is 
also for the wicked. Rev. xx, 13. Tliis state 



60 How to Become a Christian, 

is between death and the resurrection, after 
which, we are taught, comes the general judg- 
ment, and tlien those who have done right shall 
be received into heaven, those that have done 
evil shall be cast into the lake of fire. This is 
the final reward and punishment, to which refer- 
ence will be made. 

A question might arise as to consciousness 
while in this intermediate state, either for the 
good or wicked. This seems to be shown in the 
Scripture. Luke xvi, 23. First, wdth the rich 
man : " And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being 
in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and 
Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and 
said. Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and 
send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his 
finger in water, and cool my tongue ; for I am 
tormented in this flame." And, secondly : " But 
Abraham said. Son, remember that thou in thy 
life-thne receivedst thy good things, and like- 
wise Lazarus evil things : but now he is com- 
forted, and thou art tormented." Here we have 
the clearest testimony of consciousness, that of 



Death. 61 

seeing, speaking, experiencing, feeling, hearing, 
desiring ; or memory, mind, and will. One is at 
rest and comfort, the other is in trouble and pain. 
Another question may be asked. Is not this 
heaven, which is called Abraham's bosom and 
paradise ? First, it is answered : Jesus used the 
terms which were understood by the people; 
and these terms indicated and meant the condi- 
tion and state where the souls of the good went, 
to await the resurrection, after which comes the 
judgment for the just and the unjust. 

With regard to the term '' hell," does that not 
mean the place of final punishment ? No. The 
Scriptures teach that '' death and hell delivered 
up the dead which were in them : and they were 
judged every man according to their works. 
And death and hell ^vere cast into the lake of 
fire. This is the second death." Rev. xx, 13, 
14. It means that there is a condition of pun- 
ishment after death, as described by the Saviour 
in Luke xvi, 23-25, for the wicked, to await 
the judgment, and is conclusively shown in 
Kev. XX, 12-15. Any other view than that 



62 IIow to Become a Christian, 

given by tlie Saviour, would conflict with 
the doctrine of the resurrection, as described, 
and obviate the need of Christ's coming. It 
w^ould also conflict with the divine plan, regard- 
ing the judgment day, and of the distribution of 
final rewards and punishments, if these are 
given, or we enter upon them at death. The 
very fact that bodies have been found in crypts 
and vaults, or sarcophagus, placed there hundreds 
of years ago, is the most conclusive evidence that 
their souls and bodies have not yet had a resur- 
rection. So we must conclude that the souls 
and the bodies of those have not yet entered 
heaven, and will not until the trumpet shall 
sound, when those who are in their graves shall 
hear the voice, and then, for the first time, will 
they come forth at the bidding of the Master. 
Then the sea shall give up its dead, and the 
grave shall give up its dead. This will be the 
general resurrection, according to the Scriptures ; 
then our souls and bodies will be united. Tlie 
only reasonable view that can be had, believing 
the Scripture account correct, must admit or ac- 



Death. 63 

cept the intermediate state. For those who die 
Christians, it is one of blessedness, rest, and 
peace ; for those who die in their sins, it is one 
of remorse and unrest. 

This paradise, spoken of by the Saviour, seems 
to be the only feasible provision made for those 
who died in the faith, from the beginning, as 
Abraham, Moses, Noah, Joseph, etc. If Jesus 
went to prepare a place for us, it could not have 
been prepared, when talking with his disciples. 
For he says, '' I go to prepare ;" and further, " I 
will come again and take you unto myself," etc. 
Now, as there is to be a " new heavens and new 
earth," and in that is to be "heaven," these 
questions would have to be answered : 
Where are the souls of Abraham, Noah, and 
the others now ? If Jesus is now preparing 
a place for us all, and we cannot enter heaven 
until after the final judgment, where do those 
who die before it go ? It does appear that this 
intermediate state answers the question, scriptur- 
ally, reasonably, and only. After death comes 
the resurrection, of the just and the unjust. 



64 How to Become a Christian. 

John V, 25-29 : " Verily, verily, I say unto you, 
.... Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, 
in the which all that are in the graves shall 
hear his voice, and shall come forth; they 
that have done good, unto the resurrection 
of life ; and they that have done evil, unto the 
resurrection of damnation." 

How this will be done may be found in 1 Cor. 
XV, 35, 51, 52 : " But some man will say, How 
are the dead raised up ? and with what body do 
they come ? . . . . Behold, I show you a mystery ; 
we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 
at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound, 
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 
we shall be changed." Read 1 Thess. vi, 13-18, 
which will describe this resurrection, as will also 
the prophet Ezekiel (xxxvii, 1-15). This will 
show the condition of the bodies called "dry 
bones." 

The doctrine of the resurrection is not new, 
as Job xix, 26, 27, expresses it : " Though after 
my skin worms destroy this body [natural body]. 



Death. 65 

yet in my flesh [the raised body] shall I see 
God ; " also Job, xiv, 12 : " So man lieth down, 
and riseth not : till the heavens be no more, they 
shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep" 
[bed]. This would seem enough to satisfy any 
one wishing to know what the Scriptures say 
concerning it. However, the verses quoted 
are only a few out of many found in the Bible. 
See Genesis ii, 7 ; Psa. xvi, 9-11 ; Isa. xxvi, 19 ; 
Dan. xii, 2 ; Hosea xiii, 14 ; Matt, xxii, 28-32 ; 
John V ; Acts ; 1 Cor. ; 2 *Cor. ; Phil. ; Rev. 
After the resurrection comes the general judg- 
ment. By this is meant the period w^hen all 
men, all nations, shall be tried, the time when 
the material world will be changed, and that ir- 
revocable sentence from the Judge shall be an- 
nounced : " Come," or " Depart." This is 
described in Matt, xxv, 31-40. This is also 
shown in Bev. xx. The w^liole chapter could 
be read with profit, but the twelfth to the last 
verses bear on this point of the judgment, and 
makes the chain more complete. 

Very many teach that at death we receive 

5 



66 How to Become a Christian. 

our, final reward or punishment. The plain 
teaching of Scripture will not warrant such a 
conclusion. After the judgment come reward 
and punishment ; or heaven, and the lake of fire. 
The one is the glorious abode where God 
dwells, and also the state and place of blessed- 
ness of God's children. The other is the place 
of punishment, prepared for the devil and 
his angels (Rev, xxi, 8), away from the presence 
of God ; by some called hell, but the Scriptures 
call it the "lake. of fire." See Rev. xx, 
10, 14, 16. 

This word "heaven" is used in the Scriptures 
to mean several places and conditions, as will be 
seen : For the atmosphere above us, where the 
sun and stars have a position, and where God 
dwells. Paul speaks of the third heaven, also 
the heaven of heavens, found in Genesis i, 14 ; 
Deut. X, 14 ; Josh, x, 13 ; 2 Cor. xii, 2. Ileb. 
X, 34 ; xi, 16 ; and also Rev. xxi, xxii, describe 
the heaven to w^hich the children of God are 
heirs, and for which they love and obey God. 
The lake of fire, the place of punishment, is 



Death. 67 

also fully described in Matt, xxv, 41, 46 ; Luke 
xvi, 26; 2 Tliess. i, 9; Kev. xix, 20; xx, 10-15. 
But what we are to do so as not to know or ex- 
perience what it is : so live that we sliall escape 
it, so act that we shall please God. He has 
promised help to sustain us, has promised grace 
to keep us, promised guidance, which is his 
word. Let us look into it ; be led by its 
teachings ; then we shall know what it is to be 
in heaven, free from all sorrow and care, crowned 
with immortality and eternal life, and saved. 

This continuous chain of Scripture is wrought 
by the Spirit, and given to man as a rule and 
guide to his faith and practice, to open the eyes 
of the blind, and to instruct in righteousness, to 
make known his will to us, to show us the way, 
to enable us to "comprehend with all saints 
what is the breadth and length, depth and height, 
and to know the love of Christ." It refers 
also to the deep things of God, or the mys- 
terious things, and promises, that ''what we 
know not now, we shall know hereafter." 
''Wherefore comfort one another with these 



68 How to Become a Christian. 

words." " These are they," said the Saviour, 
" which testify of me ; " and in Eev. xxi, 5 : 
" Write : for tliese words are true and faithful ; " 
and in Kev. xxii, 16 : ''I Jesus have sent mine 
angel to testify unto you these things in the 
churches." What follows, shows that we are 
not to add to, or take away from, the sayings of 
this Book, under a penalty. Men should be 
careful that what they preach or teach be in ac- 
cordance with the word of the Lord, which, if 
we search, will reveal all that we desire to 
know, or should know. One reason why we do 
not know is because we fail to search it for our- 
selves. 

" That heavenly Teacher of mankind, 
That Guide infallible, impart — 

To bring thy sayings to our mind, 

And write them on each faithful heart." 

" Having therefore these promises, dearly be- 
loved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness 
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in 
the fear of God." 2 Cor. vii, 1. To do this 
will aid us to become the sons of God, to be co- 



Death. 69 

workers with him in this important field until 
our labor is ended, which will be rewarded in 
time and eternity. By doing this, we shall not 
only become Christians, not only find out what 
we are and w^here bound, but, having found the 
way, we shall walk in it, " looking unto Jesus, 
the author and finisher of faith/' 



70 How to Become a Christian. 



T 



CHAPTER Y. 

Recapitulation. 

O sum up the whole subject, we find our- 
selves in the world, as men, women, and 
children. Man is a compound being, with a 
mortal body, and a spirit which is immortal. 
This spirit is rational, with understanding, affec- 
tions, and will ; therefore man is a free, moral 
agent, may do as he will, yet responsible to his 
Creator, as shown in Genesis ,ii, 15-17. 
Says one writer : " If men's moral acts are the 
effects of causes arranged by God, then God is 
either the author of sin, or his own acts, being 
the effects of some necessitating cause, such as 
the strongest motive, or the constitution of his 
nature, the universe is under the iron law of 
fate, and sin is an illusion and an impossibility." 
This would make a man nothing but a machine, 
a tool ; more, a fool ; for a man without a will 
has no use for understanding, affection, or 



Hecapitulation, 71 

brains, and as such would be called a fool. The 
Scriptures teach that men are free to 
choose — to obey, or refuse to obey. This, how- 
ever, does not relieve them from responsibility, 
or from complying with the conditions to pro- 
cure salvation from their sins, as described in 
Prov. i, 23-31 ; Matt, xxiii, 37 ; John vii, 17. 

This knowledge of responsibility, and that 
God's laws are not to be violated by us under a 
penalty, which is eternal death, will lead the 
thinking man to seek for pardon and salvation 
through Jesus Christ, in the way, and the only 
way, to obtain it. To do this right, we are told 
in 2 Chron. vii, 14 : " If my people, which are 
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and 
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their 
wicked ways ; then will I hear from heaven, and 
will forgive their sin, and will heal their 
land." Also see Luke xiii, 3 : " I tell you, l^ay, 
but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise per- 
ish." This means that we are to make repent- 
ance the first business of our accountable life ; 
that is, when we have reached the period in 



^"2 How to Become a CItristian, 

which we are conscious of our sinful condition, 
we are to come at once, without delay, without 
trying to be a little better, or ceasing to do the 
§vil and living better than we were. All of this 
is practically an excuse for not truly repenting. 
It is no more or less than repudiating the work 
of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation, and trying, 
by " good works," to save ourselves, wdiich can 
never be done. It is, in other words, making 
morality the standard instead of Christ, the 
Saviour. This will not answer. We must 
repent, we must be saved from our sins; not 
in them, for we would not be benefited. They 
must be forgiven. We must be cleansed. This 
will require our wliole attention. Our condition 
is desperate. It is salvation from sin, or eternal 
death. This is important ; it is of more value 
than all the world to us. When we realize this 
fact, there will be 

*^ No room for mirtli or trifling here, 
For worldly hope, or worldly fear. 
If life so soon is «:one ; 



Hecajjitulation. 73 

*^ Nothing is worth a thought beneath, 
But how I may escape the death 
That never, never dies," 

As Jesus only can save ns from this death, then 
we must look to him. When once we have 
come, and are seeking, we should not listen 
to or for any thing but the voice of the 
Spirit, which will be given the very moment we 
are willing to accept his pardon. Some may 
ask, How shall I know this voice, and when shall 
1 hear it ? In the same manner precisely that 
you knew how you were convicted of sin. It 
was by believing that you had done wrong 
against God, and your belief led you to be con- 
vinced. You accepted it as a fact, and that fact 
became conviction. Now you are convinced 
that there is no other one to save you but Jesus, 
and he has said : " If we confess our sins, he 
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and 
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 
1 John i, 9. 

The knowledge of this voice, and the time 
when we shall hear him speak our sins forgiven. 



Ti llow to Become a Christian. 

is conditioned upon two things : First, tliat 
we are conscious of our sins, and in earnest to 
be forgiven. Second, that we fully believe 
that Jesus can save, has power to forgive, and 
that we are ready to let him save us just now, 
and accept the promise and the word as true, 
and that it is done when we believe. This is an 
act of " saving faith," or having the evidence of 
a thing not seen, and enjoying the substance of 
a thing hoped for. This describes faith. 

To understand this in part, and to know it, or 
realize that it has been accomplished in us, may 
be illustrated and relied upon, so far as the princi- 
ple can illustrate spiritual and divine things. For 
example : We are about to come in possession 
of a large fortune, or become a partner in a 
prosperous firm, or form a matrimonial alliance, 
to spend a year in travel, or to meet loved ones 
who have long been separated from us. While 
contemplating the many pleasures which these 
circumstances would afford, do w^e not ex- 
perience and realize in part a real joy and 
satisfaction growing out of the anticipated fort- 



Hecajjitulatioii. 75 

urie, alliance, prosperity, and greetings ? Ah, 
yes. The poet sings : 

** Yea, and before we rise 

To that immortal state, 
The thoughts of such, amazing bliss 

Should constant joys create." 

Just so we are to realize the knowledge of our 
sins forgiven, and of our acceptance that brings 
peace and joy to the believing soul. That 
is, by faith we realize this pardon, hear this 
voice, and are enabled to accept it. For it be- 
comes substance, and we have the evidence of 
the thing not seen. This promise of fortune or 
travel, etc., has actually produced a joy in the 
mind and heart, and we realize it, without a 
doubt. 

The thought of the pleasure makes the sub- 
stance real. We do not see it, therefore it is 
unseen. It is only a hope, therefore not sub- 
stance. Yet, in fact, it is the substance of the 
things hoped for, and an evidence of the things 
unseen. What should hinder the anticipating, 
earnest, believing, seeking sinner from realizing 



76 Ilow to Become a Christian. 

and enjoying and believing his sins forgiven, 
when the word of God promises it, and our 
very soul yearns for it and needs it ? I an- 
swer, Nothing but unbelief. Tiie Scriptures 
teach us, Mark xi, 24, "Therefore I say unto 
you. What things soever ye desire, when ye 
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye 
shall have them ; " and James i, 6, 7, " But let 
him ask in faith, nothing wavering. . . . For 
let not that man think that he shall re- 
ceive any thing of the Lord." This shows 
us plainly that our prayers are answered, and 
that we receive only on condition of our faith. 
God has promised to honor our faith, and we 
can only honor him by our faith. Unless we 
are ready to accept his word as true, and that 
he will do just as he has promised, we can never 
have this evidence or knowledge of sins for- 
given. This " witness of the Spirit " is the seal 
that he stamps on our hearts that we are his. 

To make this yet more clear: this salva- 
tion has been provided for me, for every man, 
just as America was provided, at great cost 



Becapitulation. 77 

of life, gacrifice, and privation, by our fore- 
fathers. It is now a land of freedom, where all 
may come and enjoy its protection, become 
adopted American citizens, and worship God ac- 
cording to the dictates of their own conscience. 
To every foreigner only one condition is re- 
quired, that he accept, by declaring his inten- 
tions and willingness to be governed by its laws, 
and to maintain them. This robe of citizenship 
is completed, this privilege guaranteed, this 
freedom a fact. How shall he obtain it ? By 
hesitating, refusing, halting ? No. How ? By 
accepting it, by declaring his willingness to com- 
ply, and by signing his name to its by-laws 
or articles of agreement. When this is done, 
the great seal of the government is attached to 
the paper. Just so will our God attest, by giv- 
ing his seal. 

*^ The Spirit answers to the blood, 
And tells me I am born of God." 

I am thus a new creature in Christ Jesus, an 
adopted child ; no longer an alien, but a citizen 



78 Ilow to Become a Christian. 

of the Household of faith and heaven. The First 
and Second Epistles of Peter will explain some 
of the things that should be known ; James will 
show what pure and undefiled religion consists 
in ; and John i, 2, 3, will show what the witness is. 
There is no part of the New Testament that a 
seeking sinner or a converted sinner would not 
be profited by reading and studying, before and 
after conversion. This is our guide, the Bible 
is our book ; therefore, w^e ought to study and 
read it. To grow in grace and knowledge of God 
is the duty of a Christian. Upon this depends 
an increase of light, joy, and peace ; upon this 
depend our strength and hope ; by this the pros- 
pect brightens ; by this the desires of the soul 
increase; by this progress is made, the world 
recedes, heaven is nearer, Jesus dearer, faith is 
clearer, and religion a blessed fact. 

The apostle says, '' For to me to live is Christ, 
and to die is gain." This is the object of salva- 
tion through the Saviour, that we ^' might have 
life, and that " we '^ might have it more abun- 
dantly." "We are informed that, with all the 



liecapit Illation, 79 

experiences of joy in tlie soul, and of hopes that 
lift the fainting spirits np, " Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into 
the heart of man, the things which God hath 
prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. ii, 9. 

"Beyond the bounds of time and space, 
Look forward to that heavenly place, 

The saints' secure abode ; 
On faith's strong eagle pinions rise, 
And force your passage to the skies. 

And scale the mount of God." 



Faith to the Christian becomes sight. *' For 
we walk by faith, not by sight." The poet 
says what is true : 

" By faith we know thee strong to save ; 

Save us, a present Saviour thou: 
Whate'er w^e hope, by faith we have. 

Future and past subsisting now. 

'* Faith lends its realizing light; 

The clouds disperse, the shadows fly; 
The Invisible appears in sight, 

And God is seen by mortal eye." 



80 How to Become a Christian. 



CHAPTER Yl. 
Experience. 

HE evidences of conversion, so far as ex- 



T 



perience is concerned, will depend en- 
tirely upon the individual, the circumstances of 
his life, teaching, temperament, and upon how 
and by whom instructed. As there are no two 
individuals just alike, perhaps there may not be 
two conversions just alike. We have never read 
of another like Saul of Tarsus. This may be one 
reason why many seek so long, expecting to be 
wrought upon just as some one else. It is not 
so promised in Scripture, and should not be so 
expected by any one. The Lord will give the 
evidence and the witness in his own way. Let 
every one seek for the Bible evidences — 1 John 
iii, 14 : " We know that we have passed from 
death unto life, because we love the brethren ; " 
and at the 19th verse ; also verse 24; also chapter 
iv. 2 Cor. V, 17, describes the new creature : 



Experience. 81 

" Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new 
creature : old things are passed away ; behold, all 
things are become new." Old desires, feelings, 
the love of the sinful pleasures of the world have 
passed away. With this comes a desire for the 
good, for the right, and for the association of 
Christians for meetings, and for doing good. 
Where these are evident and felt, there is every 
reason to believe we are changed to some extent 
at least, and with this comes the knowledge that 
we are passing from death unto life, new life. 
We must accept these as Bible evidences, and as 
we continue to seek, we shall continue to find. 
Just at this point we must not forget to praise God 
for the change that is taking place in answer to 
our prayers, which have been for the very thing 
that is now being wrouglit, a change of heart, a 
change of desire, and a change of experience. 
An acknowledgment to our heavenly Fatlier of 
the work being done for us will be followed by 
more evidences of light and joy, until old things 
have passed away, and there comes a desire to do 
the will of God in every thing. In proportion to 



82 How to Become a Christian. 

our acceptance of his proffered aid, and our faith 
in liim and his ability to save us, it will be done, 
but no faster. We must not expect to receive 
at once all, for there is very much to learn, to 
know, to do, to receive ; yet we may go on unto 
perfection. No matter how high we may have 
attained, still there is more to follow. When 
once brought to this new field of labor, which is 
the kingdom or vineyard, and Immanuel's land, 
we shall find that there is work to do ; lessons to 
learn, which will require all our strength, all 
our patience, and all the grace w^e can obtain ; 
but there is enough grace for us, to overcome the 
world, the flesh, and the devil. We shall have 
trials of our faith, of our sincerity, of our trust, 
and of ourselves. This last we shall find very 
weak ; much more so than we think. Therefore 
we have the words of the apostle to warn us, in 
the 12th chapter of Eomans, verses 1, 2, and 3 : 
" Not to think more highly of himself than he 
ought." Also in Galatians vi, 3 : " For if a 
man think himself to be something when he is 
nothing, he deceiveth himself ; '' that is, if he 



ExperiencG, 83 

thinks he can overcome without help from God. 
Jesus says, '' For without me ye can do nothing," 
etc. We are to grow in grace and knowledge. 
This will be accomplished by the trial of our 
faith, " which worketh patience, experience, 
hope," etc. We shall be met by many tempta- 
tions, difficulties, and professed friends, w^ith 
questions and problems, but we must not yield. 
Others may seem to outstrip us in the race, and 
attain more knowledge, and an easier way, but 
keep on steady, looking ever to Jesus ; '^ he will 
carry you through." 

The liability to err is common to man. 
One says, ''To err is human, to forgive divine." 
As stated in part before, mistakes are made 
with regard to duty, belief, attainment, convic- 
tion, conversion, and sanctification, or Christian 
privilege, and consecration. A few instances 
will be given which may serve to show that 
mistakes are made; and that we are liable to 
make them, if care is not taken to prove and 
try the doctrines which are advanced by such 
men by the word of God. 



84 How to Become a Christian. 

With regard to the effects of a sincere belief 
in any thing and every thing, some will tell us 
that, as long as we are sincere, no matter what 
we believe, God will accept our sincerity in lieu 
of knowledge. This is an error without a limit, 
and equal to saying that a man may commit the 
most atrocious murder, or plunder his neighbor's 
goods, or believe in pagan worship or heathen 
idolatry, and violate every command of God, 
yet, because he is sincere, God will accept it as 
right. Can any thing be more absurd ? And 
yet there are those who advance this doctrine. 
Another is, that if we firmly believe that we are 
changed, or whatever we w^ish, it will be done 
and is done, whether it be in accord with God's 
word or not. If sincere in our belief it is done. 
With regard to being rich, or being made holy, 
or being saved, they say, just believe and it will 
be done. How many tell us, "Now, if you 
want to be saved, believe it. No matter about 
conviction, that will come after. If you wish 
to be sanctified, just believe you are and it is 
done. You must believe it, that is all." 



Experience, 85 

We admit that it is possible for some men to 
believe any thing and in any thing, and that 
they see and feel what they believe ; but no one 
else believes it, or sees it, or feels it. Men may 
believe, as has been done, that they are rich, 
and yet be without a dollar in their pocket ; some 
have believed themselves to be saints, while they 
were the most ungodly men ; some have believed 
tliat they were commissioned by the Almighty 
to take the lives of their children, or the life of 
a President, and yet the people that made tlie 
laws did not believe it, but caused the murder- 
ers to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. 
Men and women may believe the most ridicu- 
lous things concerning religion, but they are 
mistaken ; tliey are deceived, and deceive them- 
selves and others. They are nothing more or 
less than religious fanatics, cranks. A man 
may believe himself to be an angel, but not 
until the wings appear wdll others believe it; 
he may believe himself holy, but not until his 
words and deeds agree will it be accepted; he 
may believe himself a child of God, but not 



86 Ilou^ to Become a Christian. 

until born of the Spirit and accepted of tlie 
Father will he have the witness of the Spirit 
that tells him he is born of God ; he may be- 
lieve himself, while on earth, to be in heaven, 
but not until he hears the words '' Well done " 
shall he ever enter heaven. 

Young Christians are more liable to fall into 
these errors and make these mistakes than older 
ones, because they are weak, inexperienced, and 
are expecting to be taught by older professed 
Christians or those who have been longer in the 
way. It is from some of these that the young 
Christians learn to be mistaken and receive 
erroneous instruction. It is a mistake to sup- 
pose that because one has been several years, 
or even many, in the way, or a member of the 
Church, that he knows or will know every thing 
about the rules, or be able to explain the doc- 
trines, or guide the youth, or understand the 
Scriptures fully. These things are only known 
to those who seek, search, and study the Scrip- 
tures. A man will never know unless he asks, 
will never be pure unless God purifies him, and 



Experience. 87 

will never be a way-mark for others unless he 
first receives the light and then allows it to shine, 
'' so that others seeing his good works will be 
led to glorify our Father in heaven." These 
only are the " lights of the world," are way- 
marks to the kingdom, are reliable guides, or 
competent to give advice or direct in the way^ 
'' If the blind lead the blind both will fall into 
the ditch." " As many as are led by the Spirit 
of God are the sons of God," and these only 
know the w^ay and are competent to direct 
others in the way. The apostle says, " Follow 
me as I follow Christ." This is a safe rule, and 
better than the doctrine sometimes advanced, 
'^ Do not do as I do, but do as I tell you to do." 
This is equal to the statement, I am not a 
Christian myself, I do not believe in the Bible, 
I have never experienced religion, I do not 
know the way ; but do as I tell you and you 
wdll do right. Too many of this kind are di- 
recting the minds and giving instruction to our 
youth, who are from them receiving their first 
lessons which afiect the whole after life. The 



88 IIow to Become a Chrld 



tan. 



first impressions are the most lasting, and 
should be right, just, and true. 

We need to be saved, it is true ; but we need to 
know that we are saved, and how to be kept saved. 
Wishing will not save us, hoping will not keep 
us from temptation, nor will praying and be- 
lieving keep us from temptation. We are not 
exempt from temptation or from the influences 
of evil all around us. But we must watch and 
fight and pray. We must not yield to the tempta- 
tion, for yielding is sin. Each victory over this 
will help us, by the grace of God, to w^in another. 
What we need is to know liow, when we are 
surrounded by these evils, to overcome them. 
It is not enough to have a light, but to have it 
shine when we need it, to have it ready in the 
emergency. It is not enough to know that we 
were saved twenty years ago, but to know that 
we are saved now. A present Saviour and a 
present salvation, a live faith, an active faith, 
and a present faith, is the faith 

**That laughs at impossibilities, 
And cries, It shall be done. 



Experience, SO 

'^ That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown, 

Nor heeds its scornful smile ; 
That seas of trouble cannot drown, 

Nor Satan's arts beguile." 

The apostle describes this life of faith, as 
being dead to the world and alive to God, as 
shown in Galatians ii, 19-21 : '' The life 
which I now live in the flesh, I live by the 
faith of the Son of God, w^ho loved me and 
gave himself for me." The man who thus lives 
by faith, and wlio has on the whole armor, is 
described in Ephesians vi, 10-20 : " Finally my 
brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the 
power of his might. Put on the whole armor 
of God, that ye may be able to stand against 
the wiles of the devil," etc. The rest of the 
verses will explain what this armor consists of, 
and how and where it is to be used, so that we 
may overcome at last. Tims informed of our 
duty, where we are bound, how we are to be 
kept, and how to succeed, we have only to follow 
the commander as faithful soldiers, and the vic- 
tory shall be ours. 



90 How to Become a Christian. 

*^0 that with yonder sacred throng 

We at his feet may fall ! 
We'll join the everlasting song, 

And crown him Lord of all." 

In order that we may be kept in tins journey 
of life as faithful disciples, we must " deny our- 
selves, take up the cross, and follow Christ;" 
every day and every hour constantly watching, 
always in a praying spirit, and ready to do 
whatever can be done for God's glory, for our 
neighbor's good, and our own spiritual welfare. 
This will not admit of carelessness as to duty 
indifference as to the claims of the Church, 
coldness as to our religious life, or an unwill- 
ingness to aid in the benevolent objects con- 
nected with our holy religion. As we are not 
our own, and as we are the stewards of God, a just 
sense of obligation, responsibility, and account- 
ability should direct us in all the affairs that 
relate to our present and eternal welfare. With 
such a view of our real condition, it should lead 
us to be just in our dealings w^ith God and man ; 
liberal in our bestowments, gifts, and donations ; 



Experience. 91 

charitable in all, wliicli includes every interest, 
every act, every thought, and every word. This 
will lead ns to the discharge of every duty, to 
the entire satisfaction of our God; and unless he 
is satisfied we shall never be. 

' ' To serve the present age, 

My calling to fulfill, 
O may it all my powers engage 

To do my Master's will." 

There will be no time during this Christian 
journey when we shall not need the divine 
guidance, when we shall not need his love in 
our heart, and his help ; no time that we may 
omit praying, watching, or growing in grace ; 
no time when we may fold our arms and say, 
" There is nothing for me to do," or leave it to 
be done by others. " We all have a work to do." 
No one else can do it, and we are to do it with 
our might. We are to be the embassadors, the 
heralds, the lights, the workmen. When we 
fliil in this the cause of God languishes, men 
and women are not warned, instructed, or in- 
vited by us, and, through our neglect, they 



92 IIow to Become a Christian. 

are unsaved. "What a responsibility rests upon 
every Christian to do his duty as a follower of 
Christ ! To refuse to do this means coldness, 
indifference, loss of spiritual life, and heaven. 
For he that knovsreth his Master\s will and doeth 
it not, "shall be beaten with many stripes." 

Tliere are many allurements in the world, but 
a Christian ought not to be attracted by them. 
His heart and his affections ought to be cen- 
tered on things above, and they are. If not, 
then 1 John ii, 15, describes him: "Love not 
the world," etc. " If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him." Also see 
verses 24, 25, and 26. 

The highest ambition of the Christian, and 
the strongest desire, is to attain the full stature 
of a Christian, and to do the will of our heavenly 
Father. To reach this and to do this require earn- 
est effort and constant vigilance, with divine help. 

*^ Arm me with thy whole armor, Lord, 
Support my weakness with thy miglit; 

Gird on my thigh thy conquering sword, 
And shield me in the threatening fight : 



Experience. 93 

*'From faith to faith, from grace to grace, 

So in thy strength shall I go on ; 
Till heaven and earth flee from thy face, 

And glory end what grace begun." 

'^ Ne'er think the victory won, 

Nor lay thine armor down ; 
The work of faith will not be done 

Till thou obtain the crown." 

To doubt these truths and ignore their teach- 
ings is to take the risk of losing what the 
Scriptures declare to be of more importance 
than tlie whole world. '' For what is a man 
profited, if he sliall gain the whole world, and 
lose his own soul ? " Matt, xvi, 26. 

If for no other consideration, this should be 
sufficient to make us labor that our souls might 
be saved. " He that believeth shall be saved ; 
he tliat believeth not shall be damned." "What 
to believe and how to believe is all-important, 
and we are to believe to the saving of our soul. 
Heb. X, 38, 39 : '-Kow the just shall live by 
faith : but if any man draw back, my soul shall 
have no pleasure in him. But we are not of 



94 How to Become a Christian, 

them who draw back unto perdition ; bnt of 
them tliat beheve to the saving of the soul." 
If we are, then we shall be found in every good 
word and w^ork. The Saviour, while on earth, 
went about doing good. If we are his, and 
follow him, which is the test of discipleship, we 
shall be Christ-like, and shall be Christians. 
Without this fruit and this Christian life we 
shall fail, utterly fail. The real Christian knows 
no such word as fail. To have Christ for us is 
to have more than can be against us. '' They that 
trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which 
cannot be removed, but abideth forever." " Lo, 
I am with you alway, even unto the end." 
"Fear not, little flock," etc. Matt, v, 18: 
" Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle 
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be 
fulfilled." These Scriptures are full of com- 
fort, full of help, and full of encouragement to 
the man who believes them. They are immu- 
table. What we need is to rely on them, follow 
them, and keep them, for in doing this there is 
great reward. 



The Commandments. 95 



CHAPTEE YII. 
The Commandments. 

THESE commandments may be found in 
Exodus XX (known as the Ten Command- 
ments), together with the new one in the New 
Testament, John xiii, 34, and all others that w^e 
find in this w^ord of the Lord : 

" Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

" Thou slialt not make unto thee any graven 
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in 
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, 
or that is in the water under the earth : thou 
shalt not bow dow^n thyself to them, nor serve 
them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the 
children unto the third and fourth generation 
of them that hate me ; and showing mercy unto 
thousands of them that love me, and keej) my 
commandments. 

" Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy 



96 How to Become a Christian, 

God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him 
guiltless that taketli his name in vain. 

^' Eemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : 
but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord 
thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, 
nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, 
nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy 
stranger that is within thy gates : for in six 
days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh 
day : wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath 
day, and hallowed it. 

'' Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy 
days may be long upon the land which the 
Lord thy God giveth thee. 

'' Thou shalt not kill. 

" Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

^' Thou shalt not steal. 

" Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

'' Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his 



The Commandvicnts, 97 

man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, 
nor liis ass^ nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." 

By keeping these and believing them, vre 
shall be aided in accepting this creed : 

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth : 

" And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord ; 
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of 
the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
was crucified, dead, and buried ; the third day 
he rose from the dead ; he ascended into heaven, 
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father 
Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge 
the quick and the dead. 

" I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy catho- 
lic Church, the communion of saints ; the for- 
giveness of sins; the resurrection of the bod}^ ; 
and the life everlasting. Amen." 

Then shall we not only learn, but know the 
meaning of this prayer, that we are taught to 
say : 

" Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be 
7 



98 How to Become a Christian. 

done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this 
day our daily bread : and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against 
us: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, forever. Amen." 

THE lord's prayer PARAPHRASED. 

Our Father who art in heaven. That is, 
not our father on earth. If all the people in 
the world are one family, then there must be a 
head to that family, and a creator ; that Creator 
is God, our Father Almighty. Therefore, when 
we pray, as members of that family, we are 
taught to say, " Our Father who art in heaven," 
to distinguish him from our earthly father. 

Halloioed he thy name. As God our Father in 
heaven is holy, and his name above every name, 
therefore, when we speak it, we should remem- 
ber this fact, also : that we are sinful and weak, 
and should honor the name of our Father, by 
this reverence, and say, "Hallowed^ or holy^ he 
thy nameP 



The Commandments, 99 

Thy 'kingdom, come. There are two king- 
doms. 1. One of liglit, joy, and peace — God's 
kingdom. That kingdom, when it comes, 
makes us happy and hopeful, and gives life. 
2. Tliere, is another kingdom, of darkness, in 
which are misery, unhappiness, banishment, and 
death — Satan's kingdom. Therefore desiring 
good, and life, and hope, and heaven, when you 
pray, say, "TAy kingdom come,^'^ If Satan's king- 
dom comes, we shall be in the darkness, and 
lost. If God's kingdom comes, w^e shall be in 
the light, and saved. 

Thy will he done in earthy as it is in heaven. 
As God is our heavenly Fal^her, we should obey 
him ; as children, we should love him, and do 
whatever he commands. " What wilt thou 
have me to do ? " Tlie answer comes, '• Obey 
me. I command angels, and they do me hom- 
age, they vail their faces, there is no disobedi- 
ence with them ; therefore, if you are my 
children, do this, as the angels do in heaven. 
Therefore, keep my commandments." "For 
he that loveth me, keepeth them," "and in 



100 How to Become a Christian. 

keeping tliem there is great reward/' To se- 
cure this, our very souls would say, ''Thy will 
he done in earthy as it is in heavenP 

Give Its this day our daily bread. This is to 
be understood in two ways, temporally and spir- 
itually. First. God causes the grain to grow, 
and the earth to yield her increase, for the tem- 
poral and physical support of man. We need 
to pray that our Father in heaven will so prosper 
and cause the fruits and grains to grow, that our 
daily supplies shall not be withheld. That we 
may be sustained, that our physical bodies may 
have support, we pray, " Give us this day our 
daily bread." Second. In a spiritual sense, also, 
Ave pray, " Give us this day our dail}^ bread," God 
being a Spirit, and our spiritual bodies depend- 
ent on spiritual food. The Saviour said, " Man 
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word 
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God ; " and 
he said to the woman at the well : " I have bread 
that ye know not of," etc., " which if a man eat 
he shall never hunger," or die. This is the Bread 
of Eternal Life. The children of Israel gathered 



The Commandments, 101 

the manna evcrj clay. So we must get om* supply 
daily. Tins may teacli us to say to our Father 
in heaven, " Give us this spiritual bread, daily." 
And forgive us our trespasses.^ as we for- 
give them that trespass against us. Feeling 
that God is good, holy, kind, and merciful, 
and we so liable to err, who so often break his 
laws, and overstep the bounds, and go wliere 
we should not, we are inclined to believe, from 
the love of our earthly father, that God, our 
heavenly Father, in answer to our heartfelt 
prayer, will not only hear, but forgive. We there- 
fore pray, " Forgive us our trespasses " against 
thee, just as we forgive our neighbors, when 
they do us an injury or wrong — " as w^e for- 
give them that trespass against us." If the 
Lord should answer this prayer, then we should 
not be forgiven many times ; for in many things 
we really say,' '^ Do unto me as I do unto them," 
and in the very same manner, for any w^rong or 
injury, so do unto me, "as we forgive them." 
The Saviour has taught us to forgive and to love 
one another. We will not ill-treat, or misuse. 



302 How to Become a Christian, 

or trespass against onr neiglibors ; but, if we do, 
we should desire tliem to forgive us. '' If ye 
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will 
your heavenly Father forgive you." So we 
praj^, " Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
them that trespass against us." 

And lead us not into temptation. If we are 
the children of God, w^e shall be led by his Spirit. 
" For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 
they are the sons of God." James i, 12-15. 
Being led by the Spirit, our sympathies and our 
conversation are in heaven. Our desires will be 
to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which 
are his, and they will be pure and holy, while 
our carnal nature is subdued. Thus directed 
and led, our prayer will be, ''Lead us not into 
temfptation^^ or suffer us not to be led into wrong, 
or to lust after any evil, and when we are sur- 
rounded by evil influences, deliver us from their 
power, so that we may not fall or yield. 

For thine is the kingdom. Because it is 
lights joy^ and peace^ a spiritual kingdom ; for 
this my heart yearns. 



The Commandments. 103 

Tlie power ^ and the glory ^ forever. As tlie 
Ruler of tlie universe, all power on eartli and 
in heaven is tliine. Thou art all majesty ; when 
thou speakest, the earth trembles, and when 
thou dost " breathe npon the dry bones," they 
live ; when thou art angry, who can stand ? 
One word from thee, and the heavens are 
opened ; another word, and the sea is lashed into 
fury. The lightnings are made to flash, and 
the thunders shake tlie earth. Again thou dost 
speak, ''Peace, be still," and behold, there is 
a great calm. ]^o other one is able to control 
them. '' For thine is the power," and " Thine 
tlie glory, forever^ Thou that sittest in the 
heavens, that liftest the curtain of darkness, and 
tlie light comes in, to make the earth beauti- 
ful with the sunshine, and the showers, the in- 
fluences of which produce the flowers and the 
waving grain; that carpetest the earth with grass, 
and adornest with foliage the mighty forests. 
This glory and this beauty are the work of our 
all-glorious and all-wise God. " Thine the glory, 
forever." Not for a season, and then to pass 



104 IloiD to Become a Christian. 

away, but ^' from everlasting to everlasting," 
without end. '' Yesterday, to-day, and forever." 
Amen. So let it be, so let it ever be. TIiou 
art my Father, let me never leave thee, let me 
do thy will. Thy name so holy, thy kingdom 
so full of promise, let it come. This '^ bread " 
of eternal life, let me eat of it constantly ; let me 
forgive my neighbor, then let me be " for- 
given ; " let me be led by thy Sj3irit. Keep me 
from all evil, deliver me from yielding, for 
thine is the power, and thou canst help, aid, and 
assist. Thine is the power that can save, thine 
the kingdom I love, thine is the glory that excels 
and lasts forever. So let it be, for me, and in 
me, so that I may be 

^* Forever with the Lord, 
Amen, so let it be." 

This is the prayer Jesus taught us to say. 



Reflections. 105 



CHAPTER YIIL 
Reflections. 

HAYING presented tlie reader witli a 
few thonglits regarding man, liis life, 
journey, responsibility, and destiny, it miglit be 
well to consider a few things wliich may enable 
ns not only to have the knowledge of the prob- 
lems of life and its duties, but also to enjoy 
the benefits and privileges as the reward of 
obedience. 

To understand what we are to do gives evi- 
dence that we are in possession of our faculties. 
This constitutes us rational, thinking beings, 
accountable and also responsible for our acts. 

We are competent to exercise our judgment, 
and have the power of discriminating between 
right and wrong, and the knowledge that dis- 
obedience shall be punished, and obedience 
sliall be rewarded. As intelligent and ra- 
tional beings, it is expected that we shall 



106 lloio to Become a Christian, 

act in accordance with sucli intelligence, by do- 
ing what we know to be our duty, whatever 
that duty may be. This may not always be in 
accordance with our views, or the views, habits, 
and customs of others ; but there is only one rule 
to duty, and that is to obey. It may create 
opposition, may produce ridicule, perhaps call 
forth the smile of scorn, or even the frown of 
pretended friends. Even so, we must not for- 
get that " we have a cross to bear," and 

** It will only make the crown shine the brighter 
When we have the crown to wear." 

This presupposes trials, obstacles, and difR- 
culties ; but do we not have the divine assurance 
of victory and success ? 

" In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but 
in me ye shall have peace." A few questions 
may be asked here concerning duties, helps, and 
growth. What should I do after my convic- 
tion of sins ? Confess them to God and truly 
repent of them. Then ask God to forgive you 
for Christ's sake, who atoned for your sins and 



Reflections, 107 

died to save you from your sins. This may be 
done at the church, at the home, in your own 
room alone with God, or with an earnest Chris- 
tian, wlio may aid you in seeking the Lord. An 
evidence of sins forgiven is the privilege of 
every one. Seek until it is obtained, as shown. 
When the evidence is received of the witness of 
the Spirit, and of being an adopted child, how 
may I continue to live? This is very impor- 
tant to know, but more important to do. 

"We cannot live in sin, therefore we must not 
follow in the ways of sin, or seek our associ- 
ates among those who go with the multitude to 
do evil. But if we are to really live, as we 
have just begun this new life, w^e must lead 
new lives, "following the commandments of 
God." We are to seek Christian associations, 
attend regularly the services of the church, read 
those books that will aid us in the knowledge of 
God and Christian duty. We are to attend to 
our private devotions, and the social meetings of 
the society or church, to aid in the various en- 
terprises for the glory of God, and our neigh- 



108 How to Become a Christian, 

bor's welfare. '^ We are to cease to do evil^ and 
learn to do well." This, of course, will not ad- 
mit of our doing any thing that will bring a re- 
proach on Christ, nor allow us to practice or par- 
ticipate in sinful amusements, or questionable 
entertainments. If there is a doubt in our minds 
with regard to it, let us not commit ourselves, 
to find out after that we had done the wrong. 
This often furnishes an excuse for the first step 
backward, and back to condemnation and sin. 
But can I not have any worldly amusement or 
pleasure ? No, not as such, for a real Christian 
will not love the world more than Christ, nor 
worldly amusements more than Christian duties, 
if growth in grace and a desire to please God 
be the object of the new Hfe. The Saviour 
taught that it should be our meat and drink to 
do the will of our Father in heaven ; it cannot 
be his will that w^e should love worldliness more 
than godhness. There can be no mistake. " If 
we love the world, the love of the Father is not 
in us." Perhaps we have not thought of that 
statement made in the Scripture, and the force 



Reflections, 109 

it has upon a Cliristian as an incentive to con- 
stant duty, wliicli must give more pleasure than 
could ever be obtained by all the pleasures in 
the world, for they only leave " an aching void 
the world can never fill." '' There is more joy 
in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than 
over ninety and nine just persons that need no 
repentance." 

" Yes, I have read that, or heard of that, but 
how can I cause angels to rejoice ? " I answer, 
by showing others by your good words and 
works and Christian life that you are a new 
creature in Christ Jesus ; by pointing sinners to 
the Lamb of God that ^'taketh away the sins of 
the world ; " by admonishing them, persuading 
them, to forsake their sins by repenting of their 
sins ; and also by telling the story of Jesus and 
his love, and that he is willing and waiting to save 
others. This will enable us to work and labor 
for Christ and for sinners. If we are instru- 
mental, and we may be if faithful, of being the 
means of converting a sinner from the error 
of his ways, or of leading a sinner to Jesus for 



110 How to Become a Christian. 

pardon and salvation, wliich means the same 
thing, we sliall cause, or be the means of causing, 
a rejoicing in the j)^Gsence of the " angels in 
heaven over one sinner that repenteth." This 
will also create a joy in our own soul that is 
w^orth more than all the worldly pleasures or 
amusements in which we may engage. Those 
who have felt this joy will strive to win souls. 
By doing this, worldly pleasures vanish, and 
sink out of sight ; then we see light in his 
light, and ''rejoice w^ith joy unspeakable and 
full of glory." 

What will enable me to retain my desires to 
.do the will of God, and not be led away from 
the path of dnty ? The Scriptures give an an- 
swer : '' Commit thy ways unto the Lord, and he 
wdll bring it to pass." Also see Proverbs, 1st 
and 3d chapters. These will give all that is 
necessary to follow ; to do it will insure safety 
and success. This is that wisdom from above, 
whose ways are pleasant and whose paths are 
peace. " Keep thy heart w^ith all diligence, for 
out of it are the issues of life." 



liejlections. 111 

Does tins mean than I am not to deal with, 
speak to, or even be found among, at work, 
or do business with, those who are not Chris- 
tians? In John, 17th chapter and 15th verse, 
may be seen how we are related to the w^orld 
and to those who are not Christians : " I pray not 
that thou shouldest take them out of the world, 
but that thou shouldest keep themx from the 
evil." The whole chapter, which contains our 
Lord's high-priestly prayer for his disciples, will 
explain our position and our duty to others. 

We are commanded to go into all the world 
and preach his Gospel, and this we can do by 
our Ciiristian example, which has been explained. 
We are not to do those things or repeat the 
words done and said by wicked men. We are 
to keep our tongue from evil and also our lips 
from guile. We are to " let our communication 
be yea, yea, and nay, nay; for whatsoever is more 
than this cometh of evil." In other words, we 
are to " watch and fight and pray." These are 
three duties of a Christian soldier, and this is to 
be continued each day and hour. Having once 



112 IIow to Become a Christian. 

placed our liand to the Gospel plow, or become 
the followers of Christ, we are not to turn back, 
or even look back. " Remember Lot's wife." 
Our safety depends upon our obedience to all 
our Christian duties. 

* ' To patient faith the prize is sure, 
And all that to the end endure 
The cross shall wear the crown." 

Again. JSTow if I am saved from my sins, and 
have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, am I 
not entirely saved ? and if so, then is not " once 
saved, always saved ?" To this I answer. Yes, 
and No. First, the former part of the question 
might be answered Yes, if it relates to the com- 
pleteness of the work of cleansing from sin, and 
also of the work of redemption. Jesus said, ''It is 
finished;" this is to be understood complete. And 
so long as I obey and follow the conditions of 
this blood-bought privilege, freedom, I shall be 
a free man, but when I violate the conditions I 
shall fall back again into bondage. We must 
not forget that this freedom is a condition, and 



Reflections. 113 

that this salvation is also a condition, depend- 
ent upon faithfulness and obedience, just as a 
man's national freedom is dependent upon keep- 
ing the laws which provide him protection. To 
violate them makes him a transgressor, and 
subjects him to imprisonment. Are you entirely 
free when under lock and key? No. When 
the sentence of the law is passed upon you ? 
No. Nor are you entirely saved from the lia- 
bility to sin, or from committing sin, when you 
will not use the grace promised, the help, and 
the power assured to keep you. You are not 
forced to violate the law ; that is done willingly 
or by your own volition. Nor will your being 
once a free citizen always keep you one unless 
you keep the law inviolate. The general view 
concerning this ''once being saved, always 
saved," is not in accordance with Scripture or 
sound reasoning, and is by many misunderstood. 
I answer again, Yes; if we attain that con- 
dition in life where we are beyond the possi- 
bility of doing or violating the commandments 
of God, in being led astray or doing wrong. 



114: IIow to Become a Christian, 

Then, of course, when we are once saved, and 
remain faithful, we shall always be saved. '' He 
tliat endureth to the end shall be saved," but 
only such. 

Do you mean that when w^e are saved now, 
we are saved in eternity ? O, no ! Well, that 
is just what always means ; it means eternally, 
in time, in eternity. We are saved now, as long 
as we keep his commands and love him and obey 
him. This is a present-time salvation from sin, 
and, if we are faithful, it will become a future and 
eternal salvation, where there is no sin. Sal- 
vation is to be understood as that particular and 
peculiar benefit, glory, state, condition, or pos- 
session, that may be ours as an experience and 
blessing in this present life ; that which Jesus 
Christ purchased, provided, and secured for all 
men, every- where, for all time, when he came 
into the w^orld — when he died upon the cross — 
w^hen he ascended into heaven, where he ever 
liveth to make intercession for us; and which 
he will give unto each one that has been faithful 
unto death. Then shall we have this complete 



lieflections, 115 

and eternal salvation. Heb. v, 7, 8, 9. The 
man who has been converted and saved from 
sin, and from the desire to sin, is a new 
creature in Christ Jesus ; is a subject in whom 
tlie grace of God can so operate, and will op- 
erate, that it w^ill subdue his natural tendencies, 
passions, and desires, so that his will becomes 
the will of his Creator, and the Spirit of God 
w^ll work in him to will and do of his own 
good pleasure. He wdll be molded and fash- 
ioned like him. And in this frame of mind and 
this condition of body the man becomes and is 
in a salvable condition, or ready for this con- 
dition of salvation, full, complete, eternal, and 
in heaven. Rev. xix. 

We cannot be saved on earth from our sins 
until we have accepted the conditions. Nor 
can we be saved in heaven until we have at- 
tained the condition necesary to enter that glo- 
rious abode, "where God the Son forever reigns." 

The term "salvation " has become very much 
abused by the use which has been made of it. 
It is often used to express conversion, regenera- 



116 How to Become a Christian. 

tioii, sanctification, pardon, religion ; but surely 
it does not mean this. All of these may be the 
effects and results of salvation. When we read 
in Exod. xiv, 13, it would hardly mean any of 
the above terms : " And Moses said unto the 
people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the 
salvation of the Lord," etc. This would indi- 
cate the power of God in the miracle which was 
wrought before them, in the destruction of 
Pharaoh and his army. Again, in Luke ii, 29, 
30, '' Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart 
in peace, according to thy w^ord : for mine eyes 
have seen thy salvation." By this it w^ould 
seem that Christ was salvation. He is our Sal- 
vation, the Author of salvation, and our Saviour. 
Paul also says : '' For I am not ashamed of 
the Gospel of Clirist, for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one that believeth." 
And in Luke i, 76, 77, '^ And thou, child," etc., 
" to give knowledge of salvation unto his peo- 
ple by the remission of their sins." Id Pom. 
xiii, 11, we read, ''For now is our salvation nearer 
than when we believed." This would indicate 



Rofiections, 117 

that we are approaching this salvation. So Chris- 
tians are, and they shall see it ; see him who is 
our Salvation, the Author and Finisher of our 
faith. In 2 Tim. ii, 10, we read, '' Therefore I 
endure all things for the elect's sake, that they 
may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ 
Jesus with eternal glory." Where would this 
be if not in heaven ? 

How can I pray without ceasing? Just as 
you can love without trying. It does not re- 
quire any effort to have a constant, indwelling, 
spontaneous affection for mother, wife, or chil- 
dren. This love abides w4th us, in fact, it is a 
part of our being; and we live to love. So 
prayer is a part of the Christian. It abides 
with lis. "We are, or should be, in a praying 
spirit ; in fact, we love to pray and live to pray. 

^^ Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 

The Christian's native air, 
His watchword at the gates of death ; 
He enters heaven with prayer." 



It is not the long sentences w^e often hear; it 



118 IIuio to Become ct Christicm. 

is not the many words we use. These are only 
the form of prayer. 

*' Prayer is the simplest form of speech, 
That infant lips can try." 

It is " the falling of a tear ; " " the burden of a 
sigh ; " " the upward glancing of an eye.'' It is 
that communion with God, when our hearts and 
lips are tuned to sing or meditate upon his good- 
ness, mercy, and love ; when gratitude becomes 
the main-spring of the soul toward him. This, 
with obedience, will produce in the Christian a 
praying spirit always, without ceasing, and will 
be acceptable unto God. 

What is Christian perfection, and how may 
I possess it ? 

We are told by the psalmist that " The law 
of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul ; " 
that is, this law is so complete, so comprehen- 
sive, it covers every thing or circumstance that 
I may wish to know or be placed in, and to 
follow its teachings w^ill be the means of chang- 
ing the condition of mind, life, and acts from 



Reflections, • 119 

a wrong and sinful course to a correct and 
righteous or holy course. Tliis would be con- 
sidered a perfect law. Christian perfection, 
therefore, would be to follow the laws of Christ? 
to be governed, directed, and to have the knowl- 
edge of them, that they become the means of 
changing the condition of mind, life, and acts 
from the carnal to the spiritual, from loving 
self and the world to loving God and heavenly 
things above every thing else. Such would be 
considered perfect Christians. It is not to be 
perfect as an angel, or seraphim, or as God ; 
but being fnlly and completely the Lord's dis- 
ciple and follower as a true and faithful man, 
converted and saved from sin, desiring to do 
his will. This we are to seek and obtain by 
constant devotion, complete consecration, and 
humble submission. 

*' Then, when the mighty [or perfect] work is 
wrought, 

Receive thy ready bride: 
Give us in heaven a happy lot 

With all the sanctilSed." 



120 TIow to Become a Christian. 

Unless we are pure in heart and perfect in 
our Christian life we cannot expect to enter 
there. " Be ye also ready " [prepared], could 
be understood to apply to Christian perfection. 
" Therefore leaving the principles of the doc- 
trine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection." 
This will be a pleasant progressive journey. It 
will fit us for our work here and our rest here- 
after. "Well might we adopt the hymn, " More 
holiness give me," etc. Read Eph. iv and v, 
also Phil, iii, 12-21. 



" In Essentials. Unity, '^'^ 121 



CHAPTER IX. 
" In Essentials, Unity." 

THERE is only one way to tlie cross. The 
Gospel of our Lord and the principles in- 
culcated by him, together with his spotless life, 
which was given for the salvation of men, became 
the " Rock " on wliicli the Church of God was 
originally founded and built. " Other founda- 
tion can no man lay," says the blessed Christ. 
Therefore, whoever attempts to erect another 
standard, or to preach another gospel, says the 
apostle, "Let him be accursed." It is this Church, 
with its principles maintained, its gospel doc- 
trines preached, its foundation left undisturbed, 
that is to stand, against which the " powers of 
hell shall not prevail." Fidelity to this Gospel 
guarantees the prosperity and strength of the 
Christian Church in all ages, and for all ages. 
This, therefore, becomes the essential. If only 
in unity there is strength, then whatever tends 



122 How to Become a Christian. 

to division or disunion should not be practiced 
or tauglit. To be one in Christ means "unity," 
or oneness. If united we are to stand, then to 
be divided we must fall. We are informed by 
the Scripture that '^A house divided against 
itself cannot stand." This will also apply to 
the Church, family, or government. This being 
true, the greatest diligence should be exer- 
cised, the closest attention given, and the most 
careful watchfulness maintained, to keep un- 
spotted and to perpetuate blameless from 
"wrinkle or any such thing," 

'^The Cliurcli our blest Redeemer saved, 
With his own precious blood.'' 

The essential doctrines of the Bible are a 
harmonious whole, and are embodied in the Apos- 
tles' Creed. An intelligent, saving belief in this 
is divinely inculcated, and is absolutely essential 
to salvation. The conditions of obtaining and 
enjoying the benefits of this salvation from sin 
are dependent upon strict compliance with the 
divine requirements, which are repentance 



^* L% Essentials^ Unity P 123 

toward God and faitli in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
together with a sincere desire to receive pardon, 
justification, regeneration, adoption, the witness 
of the Spirit, sanctification, or entire consecra- 
tion of body and soul to God and his service. 
This produces hope in this Ufe, with heaven 
and immortality in the world to come. 

The great command of the Saviour to his dis- 
ciples, " Go ye into all the world, and preach 
my Gospel," becomes the commission of every 
minister of the Gospel, and no others have au- 
thority, no others are called to preach his Gos- 
pel, or his word. This, of course, precludes any 
other kind of preaching but the Gospel of 
Christ. Paul says, " If I, or an angel from 
heaven, preach any other," etc., '* let him be ac- 
cursed." This is not only emphatic, but terribly 
and fearfully conclusive. To deviate from this 
command is to incur the displeasure of God, 
and occupy a false position as a minister of 
Christ, which cannot be instrumental in building 
up the Church spiritually, and must be most 
detrimental to its growth. 



124 IIow to Become a Christian. 

The question of unity, in preacliing the Gospel, 
or in presenting its claims, may be considered by 
some as a unit, with regard to an end sought ; 
but men may radically differ as to the means used 
to obtain or accomplish it. This depends entirely 
upon just wliat is sought. If, for instance, the end 
sought is, that the Church may have an increased 
membership, or to be strengthened, the means 
employed by one may accomplish this without 
preaching a Gospel sermon. Another having the 
burden of souls upon him, preaching Christ and 
him crucified, and the result in numbers added 
to the Church the same, the question is, which 
Church has really been strengthened and built 
up ? Surely not the former. Again, one may 
discourse upon speculative subjects, and be in- 
strumental in attracting large congregations, or 
engage renowned evangelists, producing large 
attendance, and by much effort, tact, overpersua- 
sion, excitement, and influence, bring in large 
numbers, as converts, to the Church, w^ithout 
producing in the heart positive convictions, sin- 
cere repentance, or genuine conversion, though 



" In Essentials^ Unity P 125 

having been persuaded that they are converted, 
they are led to join the Church on probation, 
and afterward become members of the Church. 
Wliile another has preached the Gospel in 
simplicity and plainness, has not been popular 
(for such are not so now esteemed by a large 
class), but a few have been soundly converted, 
and are living witnesses as saved men and 
women. Which of the two preachers have 
really attained the end sought — that of saving- 
souls, or preaching the Gospel, of proclaiming 
the truth, of sustaining the character of a good 
minister of Jesus Christ, and of strengthening 
the Church of God, by adding to the Church 
such as shall be saved ? It must be apparent. 

In order to accomplish the w^ork God has given 
us to do, there must be unity of action, oneness of 
thought, harmony of work, and agreement of 
statement; while,aboveall,a uniformityin preach- 
ing, expounding, and presenting the essential doc- 
trines of the Gospel in a clear, concise, and un- 
mistakable manner, so that whoever preaches 
the glorious Gospel, and in whatever land, or 



126 How to Become a Christian. 

language tauglit, it will be the same Gospel, 
and attended witli the same results : salvation 
through Christ by faith. 

Yariety of opinion, diversity of thought, free- 
dom of expression, looseness of doctrine, ambi- 
tion for popularity, elevation and preference, 
together with a desire to appear scholastic, 
rhetorical, and finished, robs the Gospel of its 
force, its glory, and its saving influence, as it 
becomes secondary, if the former must be at- 
tained. This need not be so, but, alas, in too 
many cases it is. That it may not, the first 
great and essential principle and conviction must 
be, " Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel," 
even if I fail to lead or form public opinion, if 
I fail to gain popularity, or to become the brill- 
iant meteor, around wdiich the great, the noble, 
and the ricli gather, enraptured and charmed 
with the flashes of oratory, or paralyzed by the 
profound logic and eloquence to which they 
listen. Yet I am to stand behind the cross 
and unfurl the blood-stained banner and preach, 
" Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away 



" In Essentials^ Unity P 127 

tlie sin of the world." I am only the standard- 
bearer. " Christ is all and in all." Instead of 
preaching for popularity, or posing self upon 
the pedestal, we must present Christ as the fair- 
est of ten thousand and the one altogether love- 
ly. With all the attainments of the schools and 
colleges, let them be consecrated to God, so that 
the whole army, from the general to the humblest 
private, may be his, to honor, love, and glorify. 
God forbid that the Gospel languish and die in 
consequence of unsanctified literary attainments, 
even at the cost of my preference. " I must de- 
crease, but he must increase ; " I am unworthy, 
but he is worthy. He is " the Wonderful, Coun- 
sellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, 
The Prince of peace." He is the Christ, the 
mighty to save. '* Look unto him," not to me. 
Conviction of this important fact will lead to 
the preparation necessary to carry ont and labor 
for the promotion of this glorious cause, 
and the coming of the kingdom of God, by the 
preaching of this Gospel. Then its power will 
be manifest in the salvation of precious souls 



128 How to Become a Christian. 

from sin and eternal death. " He that winneth 
souls is wise." " He that converteth a sinner from 
the error of his ways, shall save a soul from 
death, and hide a multitude of sins." The com- 
mission given is, " Go, preach." The theme is 
named, "My Gospel." To whom is it declared ? 
" To every creature." "What to do, and in whose 
name is stated : "• Baptizing them in the name 
of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost." There is no mistaking the commission, 
theme, or duty. This Gospel, which is good 
news, is for sinners, and is to be preached unto 
them especially. "Christ came not to call the 
righteous, but sinners to repentance." The min- 
ister of the Gospel is, therefore, to preach to 
such, " Kepent ye." When this is done, they 
are taught to confess and forsake their sins, and 
to believe on the Lord Jesus Clirist, as their 
Saviour. "Let the wicked forsake his way, 
and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and let 
him return unto the Lord, and he will have 
mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will 
abundantly pardon." That the sinner may know 



''In Essentials^ Unity. '^^ 129 

how to do this, and receive pardon, the essen- 
tial and necessary things must be taught. Not 
as I think, but as God's word directs. Tell 
them of Jesus and his life, why he came, 
how he suffered, what he said, how he died on 
the crass, how he arose, where he ever liveth, 
for us to intercede. 

The conditions of salvation, which are convic- 
tion, confession, repentance, belief, and saving 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are necessary to 
pardon and adoption. Therefore unity of action, 
oneness of work, harmony of thought, agreement 
in statement of the word of God, will insure 
strength, give peace and prosperity to the 
Church, and establish believers in the faith, thor- 
oughly prepared for every good word and work. 
These will also earnestly contend for the " faith 
once delivered to the saints ; " all in consequence 
of being faithfully instructed by the faithful 
minister of the Gospel, to whom is committed 
this charge and trust. How very essential that 
we keep it, so as to adorn the doctrine ; that we 

bring no reproach upon the Gospel ; that we put 
9 



130 How to BeGome a Christian, 

on the whole armor ; that we have that charity 
which believeth all things, endnreth all things, 
which is not pufied up, which doth not behave it- 
self unseemly. It is important that the ministry 
be not blamed ; that Christ may be exalted ; that 
Christ may be in the word, in the theme, in the 
prayer, in the sermon, in the minister, in the 
heart, in the life. To accomplish this work will 
require a thorough acquaintance with the sub- 
ject, which is the Gospel, and an experimental 
acquaintance vath the author of it, who is Christ. 
To depict his attributes, to portray his character, 
to extol his virtues and worth, to unfold his 
precepts, and present this spotless Saviour, the 
world's Eedeemer, will require all our talents, 
time, and voice, our self, our reputation. This 
one way must be our choice. This will enable 
us to embrace the highest culture, the deepest 
research, the finest rhetoric, tlie sharpest logic, 
and the soundest philosophy; and become the 
humble instruments in the hands of the Master, 
to preach the everlasting Gospel, and the un- 
searchable riches of Jesus, the Son of God. To 



" In Essentials^ Unity P 131 

do this will require patience, wisdom, and 
grace, but to accomplish this will glorify our 
Father in heaven, whose children we are, and if 
faithful in these things, few, but important, he 
will make us ruler over many, and say to each, 
" Well done, thou good and faithful servant, 
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 



132 How to Become a Christian. 



W 



CHAPTEK X. 

Saving Belief. 

HAT constitutes saving belief? 

1. Personal acknowledgment or con- 



fession. 

2. Filial obedience in all things. 

3. Heartfelt and sincere belief. 

1. Actuated by a thorough conviction, the 
man must confess, first, that there is a God ; 
second, that he is almighty ; third, that he is all- 
wise to govern; fourth, that he is just to pun- 
ish or reward ; fifth, that he will punish disobe- 
dience and reward obedience, without respect to 
persons or conditions. 

2. Convinced of this power, justice, and im- 
partiality, there will be commenced in the heart 
that principle or essential quality which will 
enable him to confess without fear of men or 
demons, the omnipotence of God in all things, 
in the heavens and on the earth, and that what 



Saving Belief, 133 

he declares is true, and what he promises will 
be fulfilled. 

3. Thus convicted, the individual will be led 
to confession and obedience; for unless men are 
convinced, there is no confession or acknowl- 
edgment, and, consequently, no obedience. It is 
natural to be influenced by the great, the sub- 
lime, and the pleasant, when we are convinced 
of its benefits. A want of conviction, or un- 
willingness to ascertain the truth, may account 
for the tardiness or reluctance of men and 
women in seeking religion. An unwilling soul, 
like an unconverted one, will never truly con- 
fess, therefore will never believe to divine ac- 
ceptance, and without this cannot be saved ; for 
it has not the heart quality which will produce 
the right belief unto salvation. The office work 
of the Holy Spirit is to produce in the willing 
and teachable heart these chief and all-important 
qualities : conviction of righteousness, sin, and 
judgment; ^Iso confession, obedience, and duty. 
When thus enlightened the man will give ex- 
pression by words in confession and admiration, 



134 How to Become a Christian. 

and in acts by obedience, having a zeal accord- 
ing to knowledge, and knowledge producing its 
legitimate fruit in the heart from which flow 
confession, acknowdedgment, and belief. This 
kind of belief is the principle of Christian prac- 
tice. Conforming the practice to this belief is 
closely connected with a tender conscience tliat 
forsakes sin and rises to a new life in imitating 
the Christ-life, wdiich is purity of thought, 
holiness of life, and obedience to the truth. 

This also teaches that what God has said is 
true, and being taught seeks to please the in- 
structor as to what is necessary to salvation. 
"What may appear to human eyes and under- 
standing impossible, becomes to faith and obedi- 
ence possible. Implicit belief in almighty power 
influences the will and affections, so that we will 
not only love, but love to obey rightly and 
truly. " *With the heart man belie veth unto right- 
eousness, but with the mouth confession is made 
unto salvation." The Christian believes, while 
infidelity proceeds from an aversion of that con- 
fession, springing from an evil heart of unbelief. 



Saving Belief, 135 

Belief acceptable to God and that which 
brings salvation is to believe in snch a manner 
as to engage the affections and influence the 
actions, which may be known ; not only to love, 
but to obey. That kind of belief which only 
produces love is not saving belief. Saving be- 
lief constrains men ; it becomes an incentive or 
motive-power which operates the desires and 
inclinations of the heart. It holds the reins 
and gives directions to the prancing steeds of 
thought. It ascends the highest mountains of 
diflficulty, traverses the sandy deserts of trouble, 
and reaches the city of pleasure and content- 
ment in time to honor the King in his beauty. 
It lays the trophies at his feet, and joins in the 
loud-swelling chorus of the coronation. 

'^ All hail the power of Jesus' name! 

Let angels prostrate fall ; 
Bring forth the royal diadem, 

And crown him Lord of all." 

And this we may do ; for if we confess him, 
he will confess us. If we believe with our heart 



136 How to Become a Christian, 

and in our heart that God hath raised him from 
the dead, it will lead us also to believe that he 
will raise us from the dead. We shall partici- 
pate in the glory and honor and salvation of our 
Saviour, who was dead but lives ; and through 
him we shall live. ''I am the resurrection 
and the life; he that believeth in me, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live." This is 
joyful news. "He that believeth shall never 
die." If any are indulging a hope of salvation 
without this confession and heart belief, it is and 
will be vain. If this be true, then let us adopt 
the language of that hymn of prayer : 

** O for a lowly, contrite heart, 

Believing, true, and clean, 
Which neither life nor death can part 

From him that dwells within ! 

*' A heart in every thought renewed, 

And full of love divine ; 
Perfect, and right, and pure, and good, 

A copy. Lord, of thine." 

THE END. 



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